Managing The Storm
“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it.”
Navigating Relationship Challenges with Grace
Hi MFH Youth & Young Adults,
As we enter our third week of exploring Emotional Intelligence in Relationships, we're tackling one of the most important skills: managing conflict and strong emotions. Remember, storms don't last forever and they often lead to growth.
⚡ THIS WEEK'S THEME: MANAGING THE STORM
“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it.”
This week, we'll explore three essential aspects of handling relationship challenges:
HEALTHY CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Conflict isn't inherently bad - it's how we handle it that matters. Learning to navigate disagreements can actually strengthen your relationships.
This week's challenge: Practice the PAUSE method:
P - Pause before responding
A - Acknowledge emotions
U - Understand the other's perspective
S - Seek solutions together
E - Express appreciation for working through it
EMOTION REGULATION STRATEGIES
Strong emotions are like waves - they build, peak, and eventually subside. Learning to ride these waves is key to maintaining healthy relationships.
Mini-Exercise: The 90-Second Rule
Try this when you're feeling overwhelmed:
Set a timer for 90 seconds
Name the emotion you're feeling
Notice where you feel it in your body
Breathe through it
Notice how the intensity changes
TRIGGER AWARENESS
Understanding your emotional triggers is like having an early warning system for relationship storms.
Create Your Personal Weather Report:
What situations typically trigger strong reactions?
What are your early warning signs?
What helps you return to calm?
🗓️ THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
Friday Night Youth Hangout (7 PM)
Topic: "Fair Fighting: Conflict Resolution Skills"
Location: Main Church Auditorium (1724 Bank St)
Sunday Afternoon Service (12 PM)
Location: Main Church Auditorium (1724 Bank St)
📚 RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Articles to Read:
"Managing vs. Resolving Conflict in Relationships" - The Gottman Institute
"Constructive Conflict Resolution" - The Gottman Institute
"How to Identify and Manage Your Emotional Triggers" - HealthLine
Podcast Episode of the Week:
How to Resolve Conflict | Scriptural Solutions for Conflict Resolution
💭 REFLECTION PROMPT OF THE WEEK
Think about a recent conflict you experienced. What did you learn about yourself? How might you handle a similar situation differently in the future?
NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
Coming up in Week 4: "Building Deeper Connections" - where we'll explore how to nurture and sustain meaningful relationships.
