Day 12: Boxing Ring - Resolving Conflicts By Fighting Fair (Rocky and Muhammad Ali Inspired)

Resolving Conflicts By Fighting Fair (Rocky and Muhammad Ali Inspired)- Based on One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook

 Life Lesson (from journal): "When two unique and imperfect people come together, they simply won't agree about everything. That's why it's critical that we learn how to deal effectively with relationship issues."

Kerry Shook opens Day 12 talking about his love for boxing since a kid with Muhammad Ali and the Rocky movies. He visited a boxing gym in downtown Houston where he gained a real life perspective of how hard it is to be a fighter in the ring. He continues to say how most of us have no idea how to deal with conflicts, let alone conflicts in our relationships.

(From Journal): What makes you sometimes want to avoid a conflict, rather than resolve it? Leave your feedback.

My Answer: I don't like arguing, the he say she say, or drama period, so I really avoid it now that I understand how to communication and I'm a little older. When I was younger I was a flying bullet.

Staying in the ring and off the ropes, as Chris Shook calls it, can really be challenging. However, if you really love someone, then you can be courageous enough to remain committed to the process for as long as resolution takes. The best style of conflict-management is the sparring partner, the person committed to being a teammate and helping his or her partner. Sparring partners stay in the ring and off the ropes. Regardless of how unpleasant it becomes, they stay at it until they come to a mutual decision that they feel is best for both. (Readings: 1Corinthians 13:4-8; Ephesians 4:2-3)

Fighting Fair
Having agreed to fight fair, sparring partners are more likely to achieve lasting peace and resolution. Read these passages and list some of God's techniques for expert conflict-management. (Readings: Romans 14:19; 2 Timothy 2: 22-24; James 3:16-18) Leave your comments or feedback.

Kerry Shook informs that we have to put in mouth guards like boxers do to say the right things at the right times to the people in our lives. Or, to control the wrong things at the right times. (Readings to help you choose your words: Proverbs 10:11, 20-21; Proverbs 16:24; Proverbs 18:21)

Attack the Issues Not Each Other
Kerry informs: Don't attack each other--blaming and naming because you will lose the other person. Start with your feelings. Avoid driving history in the conflict. This only diverts the real issue. If you get historical the other person may just get hysterical.

"Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict." -Dorothy Thompson

"The most important thing you can do is to bring the Prince of Peace into the ring with you." (Readings: John 2:13-17; 1Peter 2:21-24; 1John 3:5; Matthew 23)

Face Time
     Father, You have given us ample instruction on how to get along. Help me release my ego and my own desires in situations that present conflict. Help me remember that a quality connection with You and with those You've placed in my life is the most important consideration.
     Help me stay close to You every day, so Your heart for people will guide the way.

That's all folks for today! Leave your comments and feedback.

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