Addressing Your Concerns

“So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.’” – Genesis 13:8-9

Finish this saying for me, “Where there’s a will, there’s a ______.” I know you were probable going to say “way.” But, where there’s a will, there’s a “family fighting over it.” Since the beginning of time, family has been both the bedrock of community and the beehive for contention. Family conflicts are something that all of us can relate to. But just because someone is close to you does not mean you do not need to learn how to effectively communicate. You must learn how to express and address your concerns.
 
Many people have difficulty expressing what they feel inside, and as a result they end up suppressing and repressing their feelings. In Genesis 13, Abram and his nephew Lot conflict with one another while sharing land. Abram decided to address the issue head on.

Verse 8 says, “So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives.” This statement is quite salient because oftentimes, conflicts break down or devolve into arguing due to a lack of communication between the parties involved. There are many people who will talk to everyone else except for the person they have an issue with.  

Is this something you struggle with? Do you find yourself fearful of addressing your concerns with the party or parties involved? Do you go to others rather than addressing the situation head on?  

Next time you are in conflict, remember the story of Abram and how God blessed him for his obedience. Do not let your concerns linger. Address them by communicating effectively and in a timely manner. Do not let the problem press on, but instead be the first to put the issue to rest.