Marriage Day 14 – Radical Conflict Resolution Tip

Marriage Day 14 – Radical Conflict Resolution Tip

Photo: ©Peopleimages from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com

Whenever you begin conflict resolution by talking about how the other person has gotten it wrong, you have stated at the wrong place, and your marriage will not become better. There is another way; it’s a radical conflict resolution tip. Let me tell you about it.

First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye (Matthew 7:5).

A few years ago, I was counseling a couple who were angry with each other. During our counseling, I asked the wife what was wrong with the marriage. Without hesitation or skipping a beat, she gave me a long, clear, and detailed list of all the wrong things with her husband. There was no question about it: he was a failure.

Because I like to play fair, I turned to the husband and asked him about the state of their marriage. Without flinching or taking a breath, the husband gave me a list of all the things his wife had done wrong in their marriage. There was no question about it: she was a failure.

Two people looking at the same thing had two completely different perspectives on how their marriage became such a dysfunctional mess. Not to be discouraged because of their impeccable memories about what was wrong with their marriage, I turned back to the wife and asked her to give me a list of all the good things she appreciated about her husband. I asked the husband for a similar list regarding his wife.

At that point, a fascinating thing happened. Without warning and within seconds, they came down with a severe case of amnesia. They could not think of anything. Because my combatants found themselves stuck in their self-imposed self-righteousness, I decided to take another angle to break the puzzle. I read Matthew 7:3-5 to them.

I asked each spouse to list all the ways they had personally failed in their marriage. The one stipulation was they could not add the word “but” to any of their reasons for their marriage failures. Their log list was to include all overt and less discernible offenses that they had inflicted on each other.

Simultaneously to building their log lists, I asked them to create a grace list. They were to write down all of the good things they appreciated about their spouse, as well as all the right things their spouse does in their marriage. I want to say they did what I asked them to do, but that was not the case. It is rare for any couple to take this challenge because of the claim that stubbornness, unforgiveness, and other pride-related issues have on their hearts.

The gospel is radical by itself, but it is even more radical when two people begin to practicalize it into their lives. What about you? Has the gospel transformed you? There are two ways to assess yourself:

  • Are you more aware of and more willing to identify your sin than the sin of your spouse?
  • Are you more willing to be an encouragement to your spouse rather than a critic?

If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. But love your enemies, and do good . . . for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil (Luke 6:32-33, 35).

Time to Reflect

If you want to transform your marriage, here are four things you can do today:

  1. Start your log list. Where do you need to change?
  2. Start your grace list. Where is your spouse getting it right?
  3. Meet with your spouse to confess your log list while asking for forgiveness.
  4. Share your grace list while thanking God for His work in the life of your spouse.

Practical Suggestion

  • I want you to start communicating any evidence of grace you see in your spouse—to your spouse (Ephesians 4:29). As the Lord reminds you of His gracious work in the life of your spouse, share those details to build up your spouse.

Need More Help?

  1. If you want to learn more from us, you may search this site for thousands of resources—articles, podcasts, videos, graphics, and more. Please spend time studying the ones that interest you. They are free.
  2. If you want to talk to us, we have private forums for those who support this ministry financially. Please consider supporting us here if you would like to help us keep our resources free.

Mastermind Program Web Ready Banner

Print Friendly, PDF & Email