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"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven". Ecclesiastes 3:1

As I prepared to speak to the crowd this past weekend during the 40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest, I thought about how seasons change. I thought about how I awoke to, and enjoyed temperatures throughout the weekend in the sixties and low seventies. In addition, I brought my jacket with me and was well prepared for the weather changes. The change in the weather inspired me to remind people about the importance of preparing for and not being afraid to face challenges and conflicts. 

For today's Discipleship Devotional, I would like to share with you a summary of what I shared with the people during the Printers Row Lit Fest. I reminded the people that, like seasons change, so does life. Some things in life we control, and others are beyond our control. I reminded the people that when it comes to conflict, it can be a lot like changes in the season; whether we like it or not, or are ready for the change or not, change still comes. The same can be said about conflict. Situations and circumstances change; some we are prepared for, others we are not. Just as there are things we can do to prepare for seasonal changes, there is knowledge we can acquire and skills we can practice to better manage or resolve conflict within and with others. 

I want to leave you with a few words from my book, Conflicts Within: "If your questions are not understood, confronted, properly managed, or resolved, your past will continue to dictate your present and fill your future with many more questions and uncertainties. Instead of managing or mastering conflict, conflict will manage or master you."

What changes do you need to make in your life? How many unresolved/unmanaged conflicts are you now facing? Remember, self-identification is key to your brand and identity. Knowing who you are, where you stand, and to whom you belong will empower you with the ability to:

  • Respond to your critics.
  • Handle your conflicts rather than allow conflicts to handle you, and
  • Maintain your own brand (identity) rather than surrender your brand (identity) to others. 

As you prepare for what life has in store for you today, please keep this Discipleship Devotional in your heart, mind, and spirit. Remember, "Self-identification... enables you to confront conflicts within and with others boldly, bravely face the aftershocks of grief, loss, and separation, and gracefully face the bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, and any other life-management challenges you face." 

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