Joshua 19-22: It is so easy to misunderstand someone. You know how it is. You see something, you jump to a conclusion about something they have said and done, and before you know it a barrier is erected between you and the other person.

In our scripture today we see this lived out. Though the fighting men from the 2 and 1/2 tribes that settled on the east side of the Jordan had fought for the rest of the tribes in the promised land, when they separated and returned home they chose to build an altar at the edge of the Jordan to remind the other tribes that they were a part of them. When the people of the promised land saw they had built the altar they assumed that the Eastern tribes were trying to go against what God had told them to do. Assuming caused a barrier to be erected because of misunderstanding. Instead of allowing the misunderstanding to build the barrier, the leaders were able to talk about why the Eastern tribes built the altar, and after they explained their reasons, the conflict was resolved.

Here are some important things to keep in mind when facing conflict and misunderstanding.
* Don’t jump to conclusions
* Talk to each other and get to the bottom of things
* Choose humility and forgiveness even if the other person has wronged you.
* Choose to live in peace

Honest conflict may come along, but with wisdom we can circumvent some situations. Romans 12 tells us when possible to live at peace with all men. That is so important in order to have unity.