Differences of opinion are normal, natural and healthy. It is the means we have of going through ideas and issues to come to the best possible conclusion for the entire team.
Differences in personality help bring wholeness as we offer different perspectives. We will be destroyed if we are divided in our purpose. If someone always needs to be right or needs to feel powerful, then their own agenda will replace the purpose of the whole team and the result is hurt and division. “…every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25).
If you are experiencing conflict, find out if you and the other person have the same purpose at heart. If you both have the same desire, then look afresh at the goal. Focusing together on what is the ultimate purpose will help bring perspective to the differing opinions and personalities. Differences can become the tools that help carve out new paths and better solutions. Jesus must have known how hard it would be for us to stay in unity. His last prayer, before He was betrayed in the garden, was for all believers to be brought to complete unity so the world would know that God sent Him and that He loves them (John 17:20-23).
(0365) 16 Oct 2007