Have you ever dreaded a conversation you knew you were going to have with someone? Maybe it was with a friend, or your boss, or a family member. You know the topic is delicate or involves conflict and you know it’s probably not going to go well. In my line of work, it happens a lot (not with any of you of course 🙂 In my Van Lunen Fellowship studies we read an entire book on the topic called “Crucial Conversations”.
I’ve been thinking about those types of conversations in the context of our theme for this school year “You are not alone…you’re connected!” based on John 16:32b-33. The one question I often ask myself before having one of those “crucial conversations” is ‘How do I establish a connection with this person?’ A Bible verse I like to focus on in is Deuteronomy 31:8: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you…Do not fear or be dismayed.” I love the truth that it’s the Lord who goes before me. When faced with a difficult conversation I pray and ask God to go ahead of me and prepare my heart and mind, as well as that of the other person, for our talk. I ask God to establish a meaningful connection between me and the person I will talk to. I know I have nothing to fear or be anxious about because God will be with me during that difficult conversation. I would encourage you to do the same and keep that verse in your heart when faced with that talk with someone that you’re just dreading – particularly if it’s with me 🙂