“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (15:1). Conflict is like one of those very bouncy bouncing balls. Every time it hits a hard surface it is propelled back up in the air. Likewise, conflict is perpetuated by hard hearts and anger bounces back and forth on the hard surfaces, gaining energy with each bounce. When a bouncing ball hits a soft surface, however, the ball is absorbed into that soft surface and it loses its energy at once. So, if the ball hits the floor, then the wall, then the couch, it will stop immediately when it is absorbed by the soft cushions on the couch. It is the same when anger strikes a soft and gracious heart. The gracious heart absorbs the anger and does not return it. When this happens the endless bouncing ball of conflict is finally stilled and there is peace again. It is not just because the gracious person is willing to not return anger. Conflict is stilled when the gracious person returns love; when, rather than defending himself and retaliating, he listens, empathises and apologises. This is what it means to be a peacemaker. It is the willingness to absorb the wrongs of others. This is what Jesus did for us and he calls us to do it for one another. It is not easy to live by grace. But it is much harder to live in endless conflict. Are you involved in a situation of conflict? Try softening your heart to the other person. It may not heal the relationship altogether but it may help the ball of conflict to stop bouncing.
Pray for that situation of conflict and ask God to soften your heart towards the other person or people involved.
Read Proverbs 15:1-13
