We are nearing an election again. The world (regardless of your own political side) is seen by most “as a mess”.  There is a concern for our country and our future.  People have very deeply held individual beliefs.  They strongly believe they are right, and the other person is wrong.  We try to make the other person believe as we do and when they don’t, people become angry at the other, sometimes using names or labels directed at the other person because the other person does not hold their own belief about something. Arguments occur in families and family members are even cut off from other family members because of what another person says or believes.  Not only in regard to politics, but there are also other arguments around religion, vaccines, LGBTQ+, inequality, and racial issues.  I honestly can say that over all the years of my having practiced as a psychologist I have never seen the degree of division and conflict occurring between people over genuinely held beliefs.  We have lost our skills in communicating with one another and applying the Socratic Method in discussing differences of opinion.  Galatians 5:15 NIV states “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other”.  I interact with people from a variety of belief systems, lifestyles, and across the political spectrum.  I teach people how to better get along with one another even with different beliefs.  Each of us can hold strongly held beliefs (as I certainly have my own) yet not demand that others accept ours.  The Socratic Method allows us to talk with one another without judging one another and provides a way that we can enter into dialogue that promotes greater understanding and healing.  Let’s focus on communicating with one another in a non-judgmental manner and in that dialogue to be used as a vehicle in the exchange of ideas to allow a higher power (God, Holy Spirit) to use those exchanges in a more positive manner.  It is not my job to change another person’s beliefs or behaviors.  Each of us is answerable to our creator and to our own individual behaviors.  However, the creator can use us to positively impact another person in another person’s personal search for truth.  We can respond to another in a compassionate and caring manner and God can use our conversations with others for a positive impact.  However, we must approach this from the perspective of the fruits of the Spirit (love, job, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).  Let’s incorporate the fruits of the Spirit in our interactions with others – even when we feel in conflict with others.    http://emapdrschulz.com