A Family that Resolves Conflict
Genesis 13:1-10 records, “So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, ‘Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.’ And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)”
Family road trips can be so fun. As a child, I have so many fun memories of driving for over ten hours to visit family. In the first hour or two, you settle in and get comfy. By hour four or five, you begin to get antsy because you simply want to arrive at your destination. If you are traveling with children, you begin to hear crying or, “Are we there yet?” (over and over again). Family road trips truly become a joy (sarcasm) when a disagreement arises. You can argue, but there is nowhere to go. You are stuck in the same space with whomever you are arguing with and nowhere to go.
In Genesis chapter 13, Abraham was traveling with his family including his nephew, Lot. As their family traveled, a disagreement began to arise between those providing care for both of their flocks. Both Abraham and Lot had many possessions and large flocks. Because of this, there was not enough space for both Abraham and Lot’s flocks to peacefully be together.
As the conflict arose, Abraham and Lot had a choice to make. Would they allow a family feud to begin, or would they be gracious to one another? Abraham chose to be gracious. Genesis 13:8-9 shares that Abraham recognized the value of his relationship with his nephew and wanted to do whatever he could to preserve this relationship. So, Abraham asked Lot to choose a section of land where he would prefer to live with his family and flock.
When conflict arises, we have a choice. Do we choose to show grace, or do we start a family feud? Abraham and Lot’s conflict and resolution is a great example for us to follow. When conflict arises, lead with grace. This is what God did when sin entered the world. God sent His one and only Son as an act of grace, providing a way for us to go to Heaven.
When you face conflict, how do you naturally react?
Is it easy for you to show grace to those in your family? Why or why not?
Spend time as a family talking about when you had to resolve a family conflict. Are you happy with how things were resolved? What would you do differently after today’s devotional?
Family Activity: Read John 3:16 out loud together.
Family Prayer: God, thank You for showing us grace by sending Your son, Jesus, to die on the cross and rise again. Please help our family show grace to one another just like Abraham showed Lot grace.