Longing to Belong Chapter 7: Struggling to Belong: Storming

From Chapter Seven of Longing to Belong

As humans, created as communal beings, our very nature is one that seeks to be in relationship with others and most importantly, to be in relationship with God. Yet at the heart of our human condition is our struggle to remain in relationship with God, with others, and even to find peace with ourselves. But why?
As humans, we are also created with the ability to think, to reason, to choose, and to decide how to fulfill the needs and desires that drive us. However, as unique and separate individuals, how we decide to fulfill those needs and desires often differs from one person to another, sometimes resulting in conflict.

Conflict derives from the Latin word, “confligere,” meaning “to strike together.”

In the midst of conflict, our differing views, opinions, wishes, needs and desires “strike together,” often resulting in sparks flying and tempers flaring. Too often, in our attempts to get out of the heat, we avoid the tough work required to reconcile, or make right, the situation. However, by avoiding the tough work of reconciliation, we forfeit the relationship for the sake of an issue.
As Christians, we see friendships crumble, marriages destroyed, and even churches split and close over a variety of “issues” ranging from baptism to mashed potatoes. Regardless of the severity or the seriousness of the “issue,” the same root cause destroys the relationship. Each time, we fail to remember that we belong to one another.