There’s no such thing as a healthy, growing relationship, family, or team without them.
Inability to engage in them is a result of…
- Fear of how you will be perceived/received
- Unfamiliarity with how to do it well
- Lack of margin which results in a lack of emotional capacity for it
- Busyness and avoidance
- Apathy and passivity
- Laziness and neglect
Avoiding them exponentially increases the problem.
You can either experience the pain of having them or the pain of not having them. The pain of not having them is always worse.
People who have them aren’t necessarily bullies.
People who don’t have them aren’t necessarily gracious.
You can have them without being confrontational.
When and how you say what needs to be said far outweighs what you are actually saying.
You will get better at them the more you have.
You will be blessed for having them in a way that honors God!

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9