Has someone hurt you and you feel you have every right in the world to get back at them or be angry? Number one, getting back and getting even is never a characteristic of a Christlike person. No matter how ugly the other person was to you or what they did you have to choose to love, choose to forgive and choose to move on and let it go. To continually dwell on a wrong done to you will only cause division and it only brings glory to one individual only and that is Satan! Is that what you want? Or do you want to give up your 'right' for hurting someone cause they hurt you?
Matthew 5:44 says " Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This is a hard thing to do on the human level but it is what God tells us we have to do. Proverbs 19:11 says "a man's wisdom gives him patience. It is to his glory to overlook an offense." When someone does us wrong our human nature just really wants to snub them and let them have it. To continually fuel the fire,so to speak, will not bring an end to the conflict. It is the 'bigger person' who is able to walk away and let it go. The agitator will maybe be bothered that you are not lowering yourself to their level and continuing to get upset. But it does not show the love God wants us to show. It does not matter who is wrong and who is right.
When people get mad at each other if they could only stop and realize who their real enemy is maybe things would be patched up much sooner. John 10:10 says " the thief (Satan) comes to kill, steal and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly." Luke 6:28 says to "bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you." Satan is the great divider. He divides friendships, marriages and even co workers. If you name the name of Christ you need to be getting the power to overcome junk like this from God. Even if the person you are in conflict with claims to know the Lord but is not acting like it, it is not your place to be the 'Holy Spirit' and try to correct them. That job, in fact, is for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and it may take time. You need to keep on keeping on being kind and be patient. Above all keep praying(See Luke 18:1).
1 Thessalonians 5:15 says "make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." Romans 12:20 says "if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him a drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head."
So no matter what conflict, you have to choose to love, forget, and forgive no matter how hard it is and you need to learn to be silent to squelch anymore little arguments rising up. Just remember what it says in Proverbs 15:1 and that is "a gentle answer turns away wrath but harsh word stirs up anger."
PRAYER: Lord your desire is for spouses and friends to live in peace with one another and also for us to be lights out in the world for your kingdom. Should any conflicts arise Lord help me to be calm and gentle and look to you for my source of strength. In Jesus name. Amen.
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