How do you confront people? Sometimes you really do have to talk with people face to face. That scares people and they often avoid it, sometimes at all costs.
But look at what Jesus says in Matthew 18.
If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. Matthew 18:15
So what do you think? Does showing someone his fault always require direct confrontation? In some cases, yes. But who is to say we should do that automatically? Writer Ken Sande says, “Often I think we need to ask God to help us discern the most winsome and effective way to approach a particular person at a particular time and to open the way for genuine reconciliation.”
Are you winsome in approaching others? The dictionary defines winsome like this: Generally pleasing and engaging, often because of a childlike charm and innocence.
In confronting others, many people are not winsome. Here’s writer Sande again: “When we grew up and put away childish things, we unfortunately put away the childlike as well. So it’s particularly vital for us to ask God to guide us in the paths of winsomeness as we seek reconciliation.”
My neighbor kids are scouts. When they come to my door selling Christmas wreaths or cookies, their charm and innocence gets me every time. So what do you say we pray for winsome hearts as we approach the conflict between others and ourselves. We might just discover we have developed a real knack in making peace.
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