Let’s study “conflict” from a biblical story today. This story is recorded in the third chapter of the Book of Esther. Haman was the highest official at that time. All the officials in the court bowed down to him except Mordecai. He did not kneel because of his insistence on his faith in the Lord. Haman was, therefore, filled with anger. As a result, Haman planned to exterminate Mordecai and his clan. Let’s not judge their decision morally, for we may not understand why Mordecai blindly insisted on his beliefs without realizing the situation, nor how fierce Haman’s anger was that he had to exterminate a clan to stop. But at least we see that “conflict” starts with a bruise of pride. When a person who thinks he should be respected meets another unwilling to show respect, as long as one is willing to express peacefully and the other is willing to listen humbly, it will not lead to “conflict.” But from the story, we can’t see Mordecai’s willingness to express peacefully nor Haman’s willingness to listen in humility. There was no communication, but someone filled his heart with anger. That’s how the “conflict” started. In daily life, we see too many similar situations. As small as queuing up to get on a bus or as large as leading a community. When will humans learn to “express peacefully” and “listen humbly”?