Is It Possible to Remain Calm in the Presence of Strife?

Have you ever planned a vacation that included a long road trip to see parts of the country and that promised enjoyment and excitement? Our lives and relationships often are compared to a journey that’s comprised of  predictability, some surprises, unexpected struggles, and moments of love and fulfillment.

Struggles and strife can catch us unprepared and surprised. Over- reacting emotionally often is caused by being caught off-guard and sensing a situation as threatening. Remaining self-composed can be difficult in the presence of angry or loud, defensive language.

Is it possible to remain calm when you are struggling emotionally? Yes! 

Look beyond the moment to understand what’s more important than reacting. Claim this promise from 2 Timothy 1:7: “God has not given you a spirit of fear but a spirit of love, power, and self-control.” What better promise can help you remain calm? May you be blessed with the peace of Christ in your heart and mind this Easter season.      

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Our God says, “Calm down, and learn [Be still, and know] that I am God!” 

~Psalm 46:10 Contemporary English Version [New International Version]

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Are There Solutions to Resentment?

The cutting edge of resentment is sharp and, amazingly, its edge is not dulled with expression or the passage of time. Acting on resentment does not diminish its presence, so the first step in ridding yourself of its existence is to be honest about how it came to govern your life. Everyone is capable of remembering what created the resentment.

The second step in discovering solutions to resentment is confiding in someone you trust to give nonbiased, straightforward feedback about the legitimacy of your resentment. While difficult to acknowledge and accept, Proverbs 27:6 gives this confirmation: “Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy.”

Ask yourself, “Can I serve God by holding on to this resentment?” Prepare yourself for the truth because resentment is corrosive to your spiritual wellbeing. Your objective now is to let go of the fear that initially produced it. 

Ask Christ Jesus to show you the truth and he will. Be ready to receive it.  

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Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.

~Psalm 25:5 God’s Word Translation

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Does Difference of Opinion Equate to Conflict?

The cutting edge of anger is so sharp that it can damage trust and respect. The intent of anger is to take away power from those perceived as threatening. Fear, at some level, takes responsibility for creating and perpetuating anger. Fear creates a fight-or-flight reaction.

Two friends moved into an office to create a business they had talked about for years. How to furnish the office immediately became a point of contention. When anger and resentment became unresolvable, the friendship dissolved, with them each going their separate ways.

Differences of opinion do not have to be destructive when respect for each person is highly valued. Respect for one another can remain at the forefront of conflict by believing Jesus Christ lives in the heart and mind of each person with whom I disagree. Therefore I can be patient and kind, for God has not given me a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and self-control. So live by that truth.  

                        

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Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

~Romans 12:9-10 The Message

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New Year Expectations for God's Provision

Expectations, whether positive or negative, have the power to direct your life toward a good and inspiring objective or to be challenged by what is evil and harmful and capable of wrecking your life. God intended for you to have positive expectations, with faith to believe in his guidance and provision.

God does not intend for you to live in a state of anxiety or fear, so he provides courage to venture out and live with the expectation that he desires to supply your needs at every turn in life. In Exodus 14 God instructed Moses to tell the Hebrew people, who were at a critical, decisive moment in their history, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see what the Lord will do.”

Whatever situation you’re facing now at the launch of this New Year, God’s word of encouragement given to the Hebrew people long ago is relevant for you today. God has not given you a spirit of fear, so stand firm and expect the Lord to do what is good and right.  Happy New year!    

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Now glory be to God who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

~Ephesians 3:20 The Living Bible

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A Song in the Darkest Night

Goodness, kindness, and joy are close companions, and to possess these attributes gives evidence that hope for the future resides within the heart and soul of the possessor. We live in a time of uncertainty, so the natural response is to become self-protective coupled with anxiety, which is often expressed as anger.

This was Job's reaction when his world collapsed, causing incredible grief. His friends encouraged him to focus on the Lord God "who gives a song in the darkest night." Job’s friends were not discounting his sorrow but reminding him there is joy in knowing God cares, which provides hope for a brighter day.

When God's goodness and faithfulness reside in you, worry and fear are reduced because God is in charge of what you cannot control. Listen to God’s reassuring words. “For I have not given you’re a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind.” It’s possible to have hope for the future when the presence of God resides in you.  

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May the Lord show his constant love during the day, so that I may have a song at night, a prayer to the God of my life. Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my Savior and my God.  

~Psalm 42: 8,11 Good News Bible

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Believe God's Promises – Move Forward

While I was serving in the military just after high school, I realized I needed a college education. I was ready to make this new beginning but discovered there were complications that had to be confronted. When the Israelites were confronted with what seemed impossible to overcome, fear overtook them.

In that critical moment God said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Command these people to start moving.” Before God performed what was an astounding miracle, the Israelites had to start moving toward what seemed like an immoveable barrier, but only then was God willing to intervene and save them.

Moses believed God's promise and set an example of faith for the fearful Hebrews. Moses was fearful, but he went forward and did as God instructed even though the obstacles seemed impossible. If it's time for you to move forward, God will empower you to move toward your objective. “For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, power and self-control.”

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But the Lord says, “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already – you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.”

~Isaiah 43:18-19 Good News Bible

 

So I do concentrate on this: I forget all that lies behind me and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead, I go straight for the goal – my reward the honor of my high calling by God in Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 3:13-14 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Bridging a Communication Gap

I'm sure you've noticed that the more we acquire, the less time there is to enjoy loved ones and our possessions. The subtle loss of closeness should matter more than things we've acquired. Our tendency is to plod through life marginally in touch with ourselves and family, which invariably leads to a lapse in communication and intimacy.

Where there is a communication gap, negative thoughts and feelings tend to get a foothold. Anger surfaces over the infringement of rules and boundary. Fear reaches for a chokehold when our influence is threatened. The worst problem with the gravest consequence is the emotional distance these powerful emotions create.

Caring enough to communicate can be revived even after years of intimacy deprivation. Getting to know what’s important to each other is crucial to reconnecting. God approached Adam and Eve with love and patience. He challenged them onward to what was possible currently and in the future. The Lord God gives us the same challenge. 

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For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind.

~2 Timothy 1:7 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

Therefore confess your sins, your offenses, to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous believer can accomplish much when put into action and made effective by God – it is dynamic and can have tremendous power.

~ James 5:16  Amplified Bible

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Forgiveness, Love, Healing – Amazing!

 When you hear the word forgiveness, what comes to mind? It could be an image of uncontrolled anger being levied against you by someone who hates you. I've often thought how unlike Jesus we are – Jesus, who could look down from the cross and ask His heavenly Father to forgive those determined to kill him. 

A Catholic priest was arrested by the German SS during World War II for hiding allied soldiers. He looked his executioners in the eyes and told them he forgave them for the torture and death they were about to inflict upon him. Perhaps forgiveness is difficult because we think we must love those who have hurt us and consequently forgive them immediately.

Because true healing progresses slowly, the desire to forgive may also progress slowly. As forgiveness becomes a reality, you should be able to lay aside grudges and demands for punishment. Now spiritual healing has freedom to move forward. So “trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.” Permit God to heal you.  

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God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold, and loving, and sensible.

~2 Timothy 1:7 The Message

Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord.

~Acts 3:19 The Living Bible

Clear Fear from Your Conscience

Jacob was extremely troubled by the risk of losing Benjamin, whose mother had died giving birth to him. It's understandable that Jacob would be protective of Benjamin since he had been forced to come to terms with having lost Benjamin's brother Joseph some years earlier. Now Jacob was forced to trust his older sons to safeguard Benjamin as they traveled to Egypt to buy grain.

 

Arriving in Egypt, they were invited to a luncheon with Joseph, where Benjamin, Joseph’s full-brother, was the guest of honor. Once again, the money paid for the grain was put back into their bags along with Joseph’s special silver cup. Benjamin would later be accused of stealing this cup.

Seeking reconciliation is a delicate undertaking. Imagine Joseph thinking that he had one chance to unite his family, made up of the ten jealous brothers who hated him. God calls us to reconcile with whomever has wronged us. God is aware of and patient with our resistance, knowing we’re stressed out with fear and anxiety, yet he continues to push us toward reconciliation and new beginnings. Your spiritual health and clear conscience depend on it.  

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For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.

~2 Timothy 1:7 The Living Bible

There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life – fear of death, fear of judgment – is one not yet fully formed in love.

~1 John 4:18 The Message