COMMUNICATION: FROM BREAKDOWN TO BREAKTHROUGH

Building Better Relationships - Part 2 | February 14-15, 2026

Gabe Kolstad | @gabekolstad

The words of the wise bring healing.
Proverbs 12:18

Your #1 Skill for Breakthrough:

Stay CONNECTED through CONFLICT

Learning from Abigail
1 Samuel 25

Acknowledge the HURT

23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. 24 She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. 25I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the young men you sent. 26 “Now, my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, since the Lord has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies and those who try to harm you be as cursed as Nabal is. 27 And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men. 28a Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. I
-1 Samuel 25:23-28a

Point to the FUTURE

28b The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles. And you have not done wrong throughout your entire life. 29 “Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch! But the lives of your enemies will disappear like stones shot from a sling! 30 When the Lord has done all he promised and has made you leader of Israel, 31 don’t let this be a blemish on your record. Then your conscience won’t have to bear the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance. And when the Lord has done these great things for you, please remember me, your servant!”

-1 Samuel 25:28b-31

The Result:

32 David replied to Abigail, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! 33Thank God for your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands. 34 For I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, who has kept me from hurting you, that if you had not hurried out to meet me, not one of Nabal’s men would still be alive tomorrow morning.” 35 Then David accepted her present and told her, “Return home in peace. I have heard what you said. We will not kill your husband.” -1 Samuel 25:32-35

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COMMUNICATION: FROM BREAKDOWN TO BREAKTHROUGH

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