Assuming the Best

One of the chief irritants of interpersonal conflict is unexpressed expectations. Be it in a marriage, a family relationship, or a church, when expectations are not voiced, human nature assumes the worst. Assuming the worst often leads to conflict that could have been handled by taking a different route.

Alexander Campbell, one of the leading movers of the American Restoration Movement, once made the following comment with regard to people who disagreed with him.

"When someone disagrees with me," Campbell said, "I always assume they do so with the best of motives."

Campbell's wisdom shines through as it relates to handling church conflict. When someone differs with me in regard to an opinion matter, I should always assume they do so with the best of motives. Perhaps all of our relationships (not just in church, but in my family and in the community) would be improved by simply assuming the best rather than the worst.