Face Conflict with Encouragement from God - Part 3

Internal conflict is analogous to arguing with oneself. A college sophomore related that he had fallen in love with a woman he met in one of his classes. After a two-year courtship, he felt uneasy about continuing the relationship. He loved her, but something was wrong. Sensing his ambivalence, she asked him to think about his commitment to her.

Fearing he would hurt her feelings he denied his misgivings and assured her everything was OK. The internal struggle between what he thought and felt and his inability to be honest, put the relationship in jeopardy. He felt guilty about causing her to feel rejected, but she sensed his uncertainty, which made it impossible to trust him fully.

Internal conflicts are difficult to discuss, but is essential to honesty. It’s encouraging to realize God provides special moments for being honest about troubling thoughts and feelings. Although it takes maximum courage to overcome the fear of being honest, honesty can save a relationship while providing peace that only God can provide.  

Face Conflict with Encouragement from God - Part 2

Conflict is present in most relationships because change needs to take place. Conflict evolves as personal feelings and thoughts collide. A young adult described several conflicts he was trying to sort out. His purpose was to avoid conflict, but failure abounded. Internal strife occurs when values are ignored, which then produces guilt and shame.

The young man’s inner conflict had to do with underachieving, failing to live up to his natural abilities and talents. It’s comparable to getting by with minimum effort rather than to achieving at one’s natural level, which sometimes is known as laziness. Most underachievers have problems trusting their own ability to be successful so they hide their talent.

While the issue of internal conflict is not easily resolved, committing and entrusting oneself to God’s care and love is a valuable first step. Even though it is difficult to do, it’s important to remember that God’s peace will keep your thoughts and heart quiet as you trust in the encouragement of Christ Jesus. 

Face Conflict with Encouragement from God - Part 1

The Bible provides extensive examples of power struggles, conflicts and their solutions. Even heaven wasn’t exempt from power struggles. Isaiah 14:12 describes Lucifer, the shining star of all the angels, striving for power and control. A massive fight erupted in heaven, resulting in the expulsion of Lucifer and his followers from heaven.

Power and control, when appropriately allocated, don’t eradicate conflict but can keep it in check. Problems develop as we lust for and covet power. The tenth commandment is precise: “You shall not covet.” Coveting or lusting after anything is an inward compulsion to possess whatever from whomever, regardless of the cost.

          This commandment tends to produce conflict and power struggles because it’s extremely difficult to obey. However, Christians have an advocate who pleads our case before God the Father. Therefore, he forgives us as we confess and repent of this sin and then gives us a new beginning. Isn’t that good news?  I'm Olen Baker.

Holding on Through Failure and Success - Part 2

To think of defeat as being an impostor is easy to accept. But to consider success as an impostor is hard to swallow. Very few people set themselves up to fail because success is a primary objective. However success as well as failure has the power to corrupt. Success can give birth to disregarding the rules for a healthy, godly life.

Success can blind a person to boundaries that were earlier a guiding force in life. Success can create an illusion of being invulnerable to failure. Rudyard Kipling's poem, Rewards and Fairies, regarded success as being an impostor whenever it has the alluring capacity to erase from consciousness the need for God.

The Apostle Paul, speaking to the church at Rome, prayed that God, who gives endurance and encouragement, would create such unity of heart and mind that each believer would give him recognition and praise for all they have, whether a little or in abundance. This attitude sees success or failure from God's perspective.