When In Conflict

I once met a pastor who said, "I hate conflict!"  I not only understood the words, I understood the pain.  

Conflict isn't fun.  If it were, it would be a ride at Disney World.  Conflict is so predominant in our culture today, there are conflict resolutors professionals who make a good living at sorting out other peoples conflicts. 

When I think about "conflict" I can testify that there is: 

Spiritual Conflict - When your life doesn't line up with God's will you will feel it.  God isn't rejecting you, He isn't involved in your life.  Why?  Because you're not letting Him in.  The cure for this kind of conflict is repentance.  

Internal Conflict - Ethics and integrity are significant in our culture.  A culture that also says, "The ends justify the means."  You can see why this conflict exists.  The cure for this is to default to what God would have you do.  If you don't know, see wise Biblical counsel.  

External Conflict - People don't get along.  Everyone knows that.  But when thoughts become words and words become weapons, conflict happens.  The cure for this is communication.  Even if you agree to disagree being understood usual ends the conflict one way or another. 

Unnecessary Conflict - Some conflict doesn't make any sense.  That's because the person causing the conflict doesn't know why they are doing it either?  Some people just like to make a mess.  The cure?  Don't get caught up in their cartoon.  If the conflict isn't real, a real solution will not solve the conflict. 

James 3:17-18 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, let me be at peace with you and those around me.  AMEN