Strife seems to build like a summer rainstorm in the Rockies-slowly, visibly. Once in a while the clouds drift by merely casting threatening shadows, but other times it seems as if there is nowhere to hide. Even the house shakes beneath the rumbles of poorly managed conflict…hurtful words…stinging accusations. In a perfect family–the family none of us has–there would be less finger-pointing and more folding of hands in humble prayer. In a perfect family every response to perceived infractions would pass through God’s filter of loving kindness, sifted by his gentle hands.
My family isn’t perfect.
How, then, does God expect me to respond to the blustery winds of anger and discontent? How can I encourage the healing of a damaged relationship or wounded hearts? By responding in love–sometimes the greatest test of commitment to a personal faith in Christ and the most difficult action to take in the aftermath of dissension.
Recommended Reading
http://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Monsters-Honest-Struggle-within/dp/B00A188KJ4/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362559083&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=heroes+and+monsters+by+josh+riebeck
http://www.amazon.com/Resolving-Everyday-Conflict-Ken-Sande/dp/0801013860/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362559212&sr=8-1&keywords=resolving+everyday+conflict
Scripture for Reflection
So…no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
1 Corinthians 13:3-7 (MSG)