Every time I've turned around the last couple of weeks, the word "conflict" has met my glance.
During a devotion last week, studying our Sunday School lesson this week, preparing my notes for MYF for Sunday night. Delving into each of these studies, I began building an outline. First I see where the Bible tries to keep me from having conflicts...
Luke 12
"Don't worry about defending yourself but rely on the Holy Spirit to teach you at the very moment what you should say."
I don't know about you, but I always want to go ahead and speak--another way of "counting to 10, I guess."
James 1:19
"Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger."
This will take practice, practice, practice. An intentional re-directing of my actions.
Psalm 4:4
"In your anger, do not sin; when you are on your bed, search your heart and be silent."
This gets better and better, doesn't it.
1 Pet. 5:7 and Phil. 4:6
My Lord urges me to “cast all my anxieties on Him” and replace worry with active, specific prayer .
Prayers will put me on another level of dealing with conflicts...by centering me, humbling me to hear His Divine perspective.
Ephesians 4:15
Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ...expecting the best out of others.
When I find myself in conflict, I can confront the issue head on...lovingly.
This is easier said than done I think. The prayer certainly must come first to ready me for this part. I often wonder what God is teaching me during conflicts, and sometimes I really don't like the answers because I realize the change must come from me first.
Romans 12:10
"Love one another with brotherly affection; out do one another in showing honor. " After working on my heart, the scriptures help convict in the right way to go...does it involve apologizing maybe? Sometimes one of the hardest things to do is to apologize and ask forgiveness. I could be "right" but still be called to an apology...eeeewwwwww!
Christ knew he was right but He still chose God's Will and died for me.
Lord, write your Words on my heart and help me use your guidebook as conflicts of any sort come my way. Sometimes I get the maddest at myself...impatient with my shortcomings--my limits. I need your Words to deal with myself. Remind me, "I am worth" your dying on the cross and shedding your blood for me because you made me, know every hair on my head, hear the cries of my heart and will never leave or forsake me. Thank you for loving me in spite of me.
