‘As a Christian woman, this is how I have learnt to navigate conflicts in platonic relationships.’

Writer Joy Roxborough reflects on the roots of conflict and offers faith-based strategies for navigating relationships. Through scripture and personal insight, she shares ways to approach discord with grace and perspective.

Since the Fall, conflict has been ingrained in human DNA, affecting human relationships ever since. Consider the way Adam and Eve responded to each other when that very first conflict arose in Eden: blame shifting and each maintaining the uprightness of their position. In defending themselves, they both made valid points, though neither of them were objective enough to paint a complete picture of the sequence of events.

The problem persisted through the human race and manifested in the relationship between their children, ending tragically in the first murder. Should it be any surprise then when conflicts show up in any or all of our relationships today?