CARING ENOUGH TO CONFRONT - INTRODUCTION

 NEW REVISED EDITION 

CARING ENOUGH

TO CONFRONT

1980 EDITION

How to

understand and express

your deepest feelings

toward others

David  Augsburger

Is conflict natural? Normal? Good? Bad?

 David Augsbuger says, "Conflict simply IS! It can turn into

painful or disastrous ends, but it doesnt need to. How we work tbrongh

our differences, to a large extent, detemines our whole life pattern—''

Speaking the truth in love—

or "truthing it in love," as Paul originally

phrased it—sums up the Christlike

response to conflict

Discussing trust, anger, change, prejudice, blame, guilt, loyalty and conscience, the author describes a life-style for Christians who care enough to risk confronting others when differences become important Especially for Christians who care deeply about relationships—adults, youth,

pastors, couples.

Respond to conflict as Christ did—speak the truth in love

CARING ENOUGH TO CONFRONT

How to Understand and Express Your Deepest Feelings Toward Others

David Augsburger

Confrontation is often difficult, especially for Christians. But it is both biblical—Jesus never shied away from it— and essential if we want healthy relationships. Jesus knew that confrontation, when it is motivated by love, is often what is necessary in order to experience peaceful, joyful relationships.

And since conflict in our lives is inevitable, the sooner we learn to handle it effectively, the happier and more productive our relationships will be. This insightful and practical Christian guide will teach you how to deal with situations  involving:

*  anger  * distrust    *change  * prejudice  * will help you put into practice the concepts described in the text. And you'll begin to live a Christian lifestyle where you care enough to confront others and speak the truth lovingly when differences become important.

You’ll become a peacemaker—just like Jesus.

Do you know:

how to deal with anger?

how to experience the freedom of change?

how to venture out in faith?

how to cope with blame and prejudice?

how to build trust?

Caring Enough to Confront describes the art of peacemaking. This completely revised and updated edition continues to be one of the best resources on “how to get along with people.” And that's something we all need to know and do!

Preface

To Revised Edition

"Creative living is care-fronting in conflict," I wrote to preface this manuscript in the spring of 1973. Now, seven years later in 1980 and it is even more true.

When my thrust as a person—my hopes, dreams, wants, needs, drives—runs counter to your thrust, there is conflict. To sacrifice my thrust is to be untrue to the push and pull of God within me. To negate your thrust is to refuse to be reverent before the presence and work of God within you.

Caring, confronting and integrating your needs and wants with my needs and wants in our joint effort toward creating Christian community is what effective living is about.

It is not the conflicts that need to concern us, but how the conflicts are handled. The frontal impact of our coming together can be creative, strengthening, and growth producing. This concern for a balanced wholeness of personal integrity, and sensitivity to persons runs throughout these essays on care-fronting as a creative way of uniting care and candor in life's relationships.

After 10 printings, a revision and enlargement has been made. A chapter on confrontation is added. Sections on basic skills in listening, in trusting, in appreciating and expressing anger, in understanding prejudice, and in facilitating change in self and others have been strengthened.

It is New Year, 1980, as this revision is completed. To Nancy and to me, reviewing and revising a book on caring and confrontation which has come from and contributed to our relationship reminds us again that wholeness begins in the meeting of grace and truth, love and power.

I love you.

If I love you I must tell you the truth.

I want your love.

I want your truth.

Love me enough to tell me the truth

……………………..