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Nature of Conflict
Conflict occurs for a variety of reasons, such as misunderstandings, communication failures, unfulfilled
expectations, differences in values and goals, competition over limited resources, and unmet human needs. With laser focus,
James summarizes the source of all conflict in Chapter 4, vs 1-2a: "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they
come from your desires that battle within you. You want sometining but don't get it." (NIV)
How we choose to respond to conflict makes all the difference!
Consider "The Slippery Slope"--The Conflict Response Continuum
The "Slippery Slope" conflict continuum reflects the range of responses people have to conflict, typically
beginning with escape responses (peace faking) such as denial and flight, but often moving all the way to attack responses
(peace breaking) which include litigation and violence.
The key to traversing this slope is to handle conflict
well, staying off the sides, by approaching conflict with an open mind, understanding that conflict is part of every day life
that provdes us opportunities to pursue rather than avoid.
Conciliation responses (peace making), which are
the middle of the slope, are ways in which people can productively and peacefully approach and resolve conflict.
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