Having one of the most talented rosters in the NBA, the Boston Celtics came into the season with expectations for an NBA Finals run. But learning how to play with so many elite players on one team and having new roles caused them to get off to a slow start.

In December, there was a stretch when their inconsistency and growing pains led to losing three straight games. However, Kyrie Irving acknowledged they had a team meeting after their loss to the Bucks on December 21st, and by clearing the air within the locker room, they have won seven of their last nine games.

Kyrie Irving said, “It’s just good to get stuff out in the air. As grown men and guys that have expectations for themselves, it was good to hear guys talk about what they wanted for themselves and what they wanted for this team.”

The concept of a “team meeting” is crucial for the harmony of a locker room as it’s a chance for players to be transparent about how they truly feel, confess any bitterness, and work through any conflict that has festered.

A “team meeting” can also be a valuable turning point in our own lives because we all have relationships that require honest assessment. Opportunities to clear the air lead to conversations that can ultimately provide peace and growth.

As followers of Jesus, we need to recognize when it’s time to have these kinds of “team meetings” before relationships become fractured.

Proverbs 17:14 (AMP) tells us, “The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes]; therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.”

As we approach and initiate these discussions with the right motives and intentions, we can be encouraged by these two scriptures:

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” 
(Hebrews 12:14-15; ESV).

“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4:15-16; NLT).

Although clearing the air and facing the truth in relationships is difficult, let’s do it with love and with the goal of keeping the “body or the team” healthy and growing.

When we’re transparent, address conflict, and release bitterness, we can accomplish the will of God together. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that I would understand the importance of honesty in relationships and the danger of bitterness. Help me rely on Jesus in order to have grace and love toward others. Please give me the strength to be an initiator when I sense conflict is brewing. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.