The Conflict Isaac so terribly feared and avoided persisted because the root of was his own fear and mistrust. As long as he held on to his fear, his hurt he would continue in an endless cycle of conflict that resulted in yet more fear and mistrust. But when Isaac fully considered and believed the promised of God, when he saw himself as a privileged child of the covenant God made between Himself and Isaac's father, Abraham, when he finally obeyed the command to "fear not," the conflict between himself and Abimelech vanished.
Abimelech came to Isaac to cut a deal. Isaac still received Abimelech carefully, and not at all with a trusting heart toward him, but Isaac received his enemy with newfound trust in God. Something has changed in Isaac, he now has a newfound confidence in the promise and power of God. And take note that something has also changed in Abimelech. The one who sought to drive Isaac away now begins a bargaining process for peace! What changed in Abimelech is seen in the words he spoke to Isaac: "You are now blessed of the Lord!" Finally, what Isaac has been all along postionally before his enemies, he is now practically as well.
Have you considered that much of the conflict and hardship in our lives with others has in fact much more to do with our trust and faith and submission to God that the issue that pursues us? Recurring conflicts and trials and difficulties persist with us, very often because of our own failure - not in the context of a circumstance - but in some aspect of our relationship with God. Pray that God would reveal such things.
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