Author Tony Merida Talks About How Resolving Conflicts is Also About Christ

By Timothy Yap Dec 26, 2022 07:13 PM EST

Have you ever noticed that conflict is absolutely everywhere? Though we all want harmony in our relationships and our world, peace seems so hard to come by. Maybe for you, conflict looks like the latest culture war that relentlessly screams at you to pick a side, and you're tired of all the fighting. Or perhaps it takes another shape, like a hot-tempered spouse, rebellious child, passive-aggressive friend, difficult church member, withdrawn roommate, or angry social media comment. No matter its form, conflict always finds us. And often, we let it overtake us.

In his short, biblical, and practical book, Christ-Centered Conflict Resolution: A Guide for Turbulent Times, pastor and author Tony Merida shows us that it doesn't have to be this way. Merida not only paints a stunning picture of Christ our Peacemaker, he also shows us how to stop wishing for peace and go make it.

Merida reveals why he wrote the book, "I deal with conflict daily as a pastor-as a husband, father, friend and neighbor-as well as a human being living in a fallen world! So it's something that has great relevance.

"I have benefited from various books through the years on this subject, like Sande's `The Peacemaker' and Poiri's `The Peacemaking Pastor.' While I will continue using these wonderful books, I wanted to write something smaller and a bit more simple and to the point. When you're in a conflict, you don't want a bunch of steps, and you don't want a big book. You need biblical texts that point you to Jesus, and so I tried to gather relevant texts in order to help the reader deal with his or her own heart and to help encourage them toward peacemaking in their relationships."

However, this book isn't just about resolving conflicts, it's also about Christ. Merida explains, "I believe everything flows from the heart. And while sinful cravings lead to relational conflicts; holy cravings lead to relational health. When my own heart is captivated by Jesus, it's amazing how that changes everything in my life - from money and time to energy and relationships."

Merida hopes that reconciliation will happen after reading his new book. "Go reconcile with brothers and sisters and be devoted to being a peacemaker. And with this, see how important this work is biblically; I think it's undervalued. I hope they pray for people,churches and neighborhoods to experience peace in our conflict-ridden world. I also hope it makes them long for the return of the Prince of Peace. "

Stop waiting for peace to "hopefully" come to your doorstep. Instead, in the power and strength God provides, become a person who can make the peace you so deeply desire, and watch your relationships transform.

Merida is the lead pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He earned a Ph.D. in preaching from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as associate professor of Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His books include Faithful Preaching and Orphanology.

To purchase the book, click HERE.

Christ-Centered Conflict Resolution