Even in the closest relationships, disagreements are impossible to avoid – and even when people are of similar temperament and personality. Some individuals keep their opinions to themselves to avoid conflict and keep peace. Yet most people feel compelled to refute what they do not agree with by arguing or by presenting evidence to the contrary.
Because disagreements are normal, healthy families and couples usually agree upon some basic rules for communicating under difficult conditions. One helpful rule is to maintain personal integrity by refusing to digress into inappropriate language and shouting matches.
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit and necessary for preserving personal integrity in the search for solutions to conflicts. Defending integrity is vital to effective communication. Listen to Proverbs 11:3: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Permit the presence of the Lord God to be your guide.
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Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
~Proverbs 17:27 English Standard Version
It’s a mark of good character to avoid quarrels; but fools
love to pick fights.
~Proverbs 20:3 The Message
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