co-worker conflicts

Do You Resolve Co-Worker Conflicts Jesus Style?

Ever had beef with a coworker? Maybe someone dropped the ball on a project, or there’s just some negative energy in the office. It happens to the best of us. But guess what? Even Jesus had to deal with some serious drama with His crew, the apostles. Let’s talk about how He handled it and what we can learn from Him.

First up, remember that time when the disciples couldn’t cast out a demon? A man brought his possessed son to Jesus after the disciples failed to help. Jesus was pretty frustrated and said, “O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I stay with you and put up with you?” (Luke 9:41). Ouch. But instead of just roasting them, He stepped in, handled the situation, and then used it as a teaching moment about faith.

Then there’s the classic story of Peter walking on water. Peter was doing great until he started doubting and began to sink. Jesus saved him and said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Again, Jesus pointed out the issue but didn’t leave Peter hanging. He helped him out and used the moment to build Peter’s faith.

And let’s not forget when Jesus found His closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—sleeping instead of keeping watch while He prayed in Gethsemane. He was disappointed and said, “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40). Instead of flipping out, He reminded them of the importance of staying vigilant and then got back to praying.

So, what can we learn from Jesus about handling work conflicts?

  • Address the Issue: Don’t just ignore the problem. Like Jesus, call it out. Be clear about what’s bothering you.

  • Offer Help: Instead of just pointing fingers, offer a solution or help fix the problem. Teamwork makes the dream work.

  • Use It as a Learning Moment: Every conflict is a chance to grow. Use it to build better communication and understanding.

  • Show Grace: People mess up. It’s part of being human. Show some grace and be willing to forgive and move forward.
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Next time you’re facing some work drama, take a page from Jesus’ book. Address the issue with kindness, offer your help, use it as a chance to learn and grow, and show some grace. By doing this, you’ll not only resolve the conflict but also build stronger, more positive relationships with your coworkers. Spread love and peace!

Scripture references: Luke 9:41, Matthew 14:31, Matthew 26:40, Matthew 18:15