Genesis 13:5-9 New International Version (NIV)
5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”
Abram faced a potential conflict with his nephew. Abram took the initiative in settling the dispute. Lot was given the first choice, even though, with Abram being older, he could have made the first choice. He risked being cheated. This example is a demonstration of how to respond to a difficult situation. Take the initiative to solve the conflict. Let others have the first choice. That may mean not getting what you want, but put peace above personal desires. Are you having a family problem? You can take the initiative to solve the conflict and bring peace into your family unit.
