For You created my innermost parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully formed in the depths of the earth; your eyes have seen my formless substance; and in Your book were written all the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.

Think about the person you are in the most conflict with right now. Now read this passage again with that person in mind. Often when we read these verses, we are encouraged because we view ourselves through the lens of these words. It is wonderful to be reminded of our value to God and the great care He has for us. But it is challenging to do the same with those we are at odds with. When we treat people with the inherent value and worth from God this verse describes, the way we relate to others changes, even in conflict.

Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” When we get angry with someone, our default is to push them away or put them down. But when we become Christ’s followers, the way we relate with people is forever changed compared with what feels natural in our sinful nature. We are called to reflect His love and value for others made in His image, regardless of how they offend and hurt us. This doesn’t mean we never draw boundaries, but it does mean we continue to see all people as those made in God’s image and loved by Him. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we see the dignity and value of our enemies as God’s creation and fellow image bearers. Because Christ first loved us, we can love others, even in times of conflict.

• How can we treat people with dignity even in conflict?
• What changes about the way we handle conflict when we are reminded of the value and worth of those we are in conflict with?
• Pray for the person you are most in conflict with right now.