09.02.22 The 3rd Practice for Developing Healthy Conflict Management Habits as You Wait

3. Maintain Emotional Self-control During Difficult Moments

As you wait, strengthen the ability to control your emotions. Use simple practices such as pausing before answering, gathering your thoughts together rather than impulsively reacting to your feelings; praying silently during a heated moment or requesting time to process your thoughts about an issue. Such an approach can dramatically change the direction of a conversation during a conflict. By choosing to respond later rather than in the heat of anger, you can increase clarity and reduce the probability for regret. Proverbs 16:32 brings this out very clearly. It reads (NIV): “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”

Knowing how to control your emotions helps you navigate conflicts more effectively and build stronger relationships. You become increasingly aware of your emotional responses and learn to manage them wisely, such that you are better equipped to handle challenging situations.