Soul Shepherding Moment

By Bill Gaultiere © 2011

Conflict. It’s inevitable in our close relationships. When you love someone you’ll have misunderstandings, disagreements, and hurts with that person. This is true even for pastors and other Christian leaders and caregivers.

As it relates to conflict the mistake that we’re most prone to make is to avoid or deny it. We walk on egg shells not to upset others. We ignore the elephant in the room. We cover our hurt feelings with a smile or we distract ourselves with busyness. We stuff our anger, becoming depressed or resentful and eventually, perhaps, we lose our temper and speak harshly, causing more hurt to [...]

Continue reading Speak the Truth in Love

By Bill Gaultiere © 2010

When someone criticizes you are you defensive? Or do you get angry? Many people I talk to have a hard time responding to criticism because they take it inside and feel bad or they shut down emotionally to protect themselves from feeling bad.

I can relate. For much of my life I felt bad whenever someone criticized me. So I put pressure on myself to succeed and to try to get people to think well of me. That created a lot of anxiety!

I have learned another way. It’s expressed in a favorite little prayer of mine from Psalm 3:3:

[...]

Continue reading Use Your Christ-Shield

By Bill Gaultiere © 2010

For most people I talk to peace is elusive.

What do you do to be at peace? Do you walk on eggshells to avoid upsetting someone? Have a couple of drinks to relax? Veg out for hours in front of the television? Try to solve your problems with more money? Escape into a novel?

I’ve tried some of those things. I’ve also run away from my problems – literally by running ten miles or more! But when you’re done running you still have to come back to the things that are stressing you out!

Instead, I’ve learned to talk about how I feel to God (including while [...]

Continue reading Prayer for Peace