Why Conflict Resolution Is Holy Work

Many of us claim to want deep relationships but when conflict arises we call it quits, allowing our ego to get in the way of real resolution. 

But here’s why conflict resolution is holy work. 

Conflict invites us to practice one of the most sacred forms of love: grace. 

By reframing conflict as an opportunity for intense fellowship, we can enter conflict resolution with faith that Spirit will guide us through the hurt. 

Conflict asks us to practice accountability, open mindedness, forgiveness, and to collaborate on finding solutions forward. 

A solution might simply be saying, “I’m sorry.” But often a solution will consist of agreed- upon behavioral changes or action steps that all parties involved consent to. 

Conflicts usually start with a perceived threat or injustice. Many people create premature conflicts by perceiving a threat where there actually is none. Instead of addressing the issue, they let it fester until it becomes a much more serious problem. 

This is where conflict becomes dangerous. Unaddressed conflict can escalate into violence, police involvement, or even the pain of realizing there’s no way to repair the relationship. 

Engaging in conflict means we’re loving enough to show up for one another, not quit on or police each other, and not dispose of each other in ways that anti-Black systems dispose of us. 

Conflict resolution is at the heart of abolition, and our righteous love in action.