Conflict: The Role Of Emotions In Conflict Resolution

Joel Osteen state, “Every day we have plenty of opportunities to get angry, stressed or offended. But what you're doing when you indulge these negative emotions is giving something outside yourself power over your happiness. You can choose to not let little things upset you.” Our emotions are a part of who we are, and as people, we are emotional creatures. The emotions that we show, can be positive or negative, depending on what is occurring at the time of the emotion. Emotions can play a role in handling conflicts, how we perceive the conflict, and how we come to an emotional decision. These are some areas that will be addressed in this writing.

What role do emotions play in conflict? Are they factual and perceptual?

Emotions, when dealing with conflict, can play a major factor in conflict resolution. If there is a situation that needs handling, and emotions are running high as to how it will be handled, it may lead to a destructive outcome, that leaves each party feeling hurt or let down. Depending on the range of the conflict, this could lead to perceptions of who received the best deal of the conflict. For instance, if in a

As mentioned earlier, we are emotional whose emotions will flare when dealing with conflicts. To handle the conflict on an emotional level, the leader must try to keep anxiety at the lowest level possible. Using the Bible model found in Philippians 4:6-7 (Revised Standard Version), “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When anxiety is at a low, then God’s peace can enter to resolve the conflict. Sande state, “In most cases, however, they will act initially as mediators, meeting with both parties simultaneously to improve communication and offer biblical