Have you ever had a conflict with someone that just wrecked you? You know the kind–the one that when just thinking of that person, anguish washes over your heart like hot acid, enveloping everything it touches as it pulses through your body, until it settles into the pit of your stomach and burns hot there without end?
Yeah, that one.
At these times, it’s all too easy to just write people off and to learn to be content living in disunity. Except for that darn acid. Not to mention, the commandment to love one another. (John 13:34, NIV)
Because He knows when we act with a spirit of love, everything changes.
When we take the attitude towards others that He has, miracles happen.
When we find a way to truly be happy for (and even pray for) the blessings of others,
When we hold our tongues behind backs and speak life face-to-face,
When we look at others with His adoring eyes instead of looking for holes and flaws,
Suddenly, the acid evaporates.
And instead we are left with the most precious of oils. (Psalm 133, NIV) It fills the air with sweetness, it spreads over His people, not as burning acid, but as the calming Holy Spirit. It refreshes instead of destroying. And when we have unity with one another, we receive His greatest blessing, both in the freedom we find for ourselves in this life, and in being used by Him to give that freedom to others.
But, gosh, it’s hard. Especially when I’m in the middle of that conflict, the acid churning and burning in my gut and instinctually it’s fight or flight. Yet that’s when we especially need to seek unity. That’s when we need not give up on our relationships with others, but give our conflict with them up to Him. And that’s when we have to pray for the same attitude of mind towards this other child of God that Jesus has. (Romans 15:5, NIV)
Father, soften our hearts for those we don’t see eye-to-eye with. Let us learn to disagree without being disagreeable. May we do all things with a spirit of love. Help us unify our hearts with each other and in doing so, unify our hearts with Yours.
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66 thoughts on "unity"
Again, the note to today's reading points me in the right direction, a dear friend has put me on edge for the past 28 hours, just needed peace. This message this morning, sets me right, and gives me perspective
I had been looking for these verses for a few days prior to reading this plan. I have been considering unity, love for our brothers and sisters, and how is the best way to share my faith.
Adelinoh-thank you for your encouragement and truth! I have to choose to forgive him every day…but boundaries are so important to remember!
I think ladies that the post from SRT about Holy Week is also dated for today, so day 18 isn’t on anymore…but the new study begins tomorrow so make sure you look at this other post today! Blessings and gratitude to all of you and I appreciate your words- Sue, Candacejo, Carolynmimi, Junebug, thinking of you Andi, Shari, Jesusgirl, Lauren C, soo many others!!
Rocknitat55, Adelineoh- such truths you write!
I agree too Sue that something is at work, trying to sidetrack us! Thank you for your prayer over all of us, we stand UNITED!!
Thinking of you Emily P and Ibukun too! ;)
Thank you so much. God bless you!
I got “locked out” of the group for today in YouVersion, as well. Confused as to why Day 18 doesn’t show up here at the SRT site either –all the other days do??? Well anyway, the devotional was about praise. Praising The Lord for this wonderful community. Looking forward to sharing The Holy Week plan with y’all starting tomorrow. Have a blessed day, my sisters!
I missed out on commenting yesterday because I was out of town. I'm glad that I can still put my comment in, albeit late. Boy, it looks like many of us in our sweet community are going through some heavy stuff! I am praying that the Lord will lead us through these hardships with faith and courage!
Shari – praying for your family! May the Lord give you the words to bring comfort and peace to your children through it all.
Andi – praying for you too! Healing, peace and comfort in your body!
Ellen MR – may the Lord grant you peace today…
And for the many others that expressed your struggle…I am with you sweet sisters. Interesting that while we meditate about Unity, many threads unravel. It's been like this in my home the past couple of weeks also. In pure desperation, I jumped into a blog challenge. I wish I could link it for you, but I can't find it at the moment.
For the next 30 days, I am challenging myself to speak only words that bring life into my family. A tiny red dot marks the days on my calendar. I'm on day 13. I have already noticed a real change in how my spouse responds to me. This month has been such a challenging one for us. We are doing our courses to become foster parents and at the same time struggling with disagreement, bickering and blame. I can send out a PRAISE in all of it, because God is still stretching me. He shows me again and again how faithful He is when we obey and do the hard thing.
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Prov 18:21 (NIV)
Quite sad… One of my only complaints with YouVersion is that once you finish a devotion, you cannot get back in to look back or review. I knew today was the last day. I read the devotion, read the scriptures, clicked "done", and got the sweet little congratulatory note telling me I've completed the devotion. I was hyped and ready to come and see what my sisters were saying. Even reread the post again online. But I can't. :( and I can't go back and reread on YouVersion, either. Hope we get the benefit of group discussion. I enjoyed the Praise devotion very much!!
You can go back in. In your YouVersion go to "browse plans" and look for this plan. You have to start it again, but it is very simple to just click start and then you can find the day you are looking for. You can end the plan and go back and look at it over and over. I have used it to find some of my favorite devotions. OH – I just realized you won't be able to see this. DUH, me!!
Thanks for the tip, Kim. Same thing happened to me–got locked out. At least this way I was able to get back in to read the devotional content–as I’d read the scripture first.
Blessings today to all SRT sisters as we come to palm sunday! I can’t get the group either, help. What plan do we do next for Holy Week?
Praise…yes!!!
Praise and honor and glory and thanksgiving to God the Father, God the Savior, and God the Holy Spirit! Now and forever! Amen!
How come when I went to the last day and it wouldn't give me the group….help !
God keeps bringing me to psalm 133. Thanks for giving me more information an encouragment in this area!
Sisters may god bless each and everyone of you , my heart is filled with joy today because although my family and I are suffering today god has not abandoned us , he never has and he has opened the doors to so much love and prayer from you all. I am praying for each and everyone of you SRT ladies I thank you all that have prayed for us from the bottom of my soul . I will continue to pray for you all whether its for healing for health for love unity or restoration of faith I am praying for us all.
John 17: 20 21
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Rhonda's comments above: couldn't agree more. There has been a real mess in my head the last two days and I am struggling to move forward with a new attitude. I long for the proper perspective toward a difficulty in my life – my relationship – and I long for the Lord to make it clear to me. My heart & head tell me it is time to let this man go, how much more obvious does it need to be that we are not going to make it. Then I read my daily subscription Bible verses which discuss persevering through trials to get to the Lord's blessing. And then I come to SRT, finally, tonight and it's all about unity and don't give up on relationships. I'm so confused. Does the Lord really intend this man & this relationship for me – no communication, little support, no passion, living like acquaintances after 6+ years together? Is this the unity He intends? My heart yearns for more, believes – KNOWS – I deserve better. Is that the Lord's voice? Or is His voice here speaking of unity & don't give up? I pray for clarity. I am so tired of waiting and wondering. Thank you, ladies, for allowing me to vent. I know I must calm my heart & mind, and just listen. It's easier said than done right now. I pray for clarity, wisdom, and the courage to do what God wants me to do. I pray to learn what that is.
Hi LaurenC,
Tell me if I'm butting in and if it's none of my business. I was just wondering about what you had written. First of all, does this man know and follow Jesus? And are you both married? If you're looking for an outside perspective and want to discuss this a little more, email me. Do take care and know that the Lord wants to bless you and all good and perfect gifts come from God in whom there is no shadow of turning.
Thank you for your kind offer. I don't mean any disrespect to you but I think it best that I wait, watch, and listen for the Lord. Take care and wishing God's blessings to you in your missionary work.
No worries at all. Keep seeking the Lord and do what He tells you and I hope I didn't make you feel uncomfortable. :-)
'I'd say it depends on if you'r married or not. God gates divorce and can work miracles. We were there a few months ago – but no more. Pastoral counseling & the grace of God! Turns out he felt as rejected as I did. If you're not married, God's word makes it clear that you're not in His will. And He does have something better for you. Praying for you. Try reading Love Life for Every Married Couple. Lots of stories of God's grace. Christy
Ladies, I am getting such a strong sense that we, particularly, are all being challenged and/ or are under attack. This devotional of Unity and God’s overflowing love is powerful stuff, and something, as Christ followers, that we need to uphold and claim.
My prayer is for all of SRT tonite; May God bless us and keep us. May the Lord make his face shine on us, and be gracious to us all. May the Lord turn his face towards us all and give us peace. Amen.
Numbers 6:24-26 (paraphrased)
Btw, where are we going after this study?
I read your comments and realize we all struggle with this. But I wonder if there are those out there that go to bed angry with me. I think we all think we are the only ones that have people that do mean things to us. What helps me…and I usually have to remind myself of this after a few days of fuming…to hate or dislike another person I am really saying that I think I am better than them. I struggle with the evil actions of my SIL …and I moved back here to be closer to family. But no matter what, every time I think of something she's done I am reminded of my addiction to chocolate that causes mood swings (3 months without it btw ;)). Or my judgmental attitude, or 100s of other things. And I need to take responsibility if I have hurt someone. Maybe that's a better way to focus my energies. Not sure, but I will try and see if it works ;)
Adelineoh-thank you for your words! My dad and I are estranged because of his abuse and manipulation. I have to work so much on my heart, today especially! He claims to be Christian, but I only see judgement and lies from him. He continues to abandon my teenage sister and my adult brothers. And I find myself asking, “what can I do to fix this? What can I do to show him more love?” Nothing! I just need to continue to pray for him, bless him, and hope he truly embraces the love of Jesus…I think that is all I can do to be a peace maker.
Hi Madeline,
The only thing you can do now to move forward is to forgive him and release him to Jesus' feet. I used to think that forgiveness meant saying that what the other person did is ok. Then I learned that forgiveness means not looking for the payment for the debt that was owed us. What your dad did is not ok. And if he continues in doing what he did with other people, and not repent. eventually, he will reap what he has sown. But our God is merciful and He will keep giving him many chances to repent. You are choosing the correct path to bless him and pray for him. By doing this, you are releasing yourself from the bonds that bound you to him and you're walking in freedom in Jesus. I also learned another thing, forgiving someone doesn't mean we automatically have to trust them. We should be courteous, peaceful and show them Jesus' love but we don't have to trust them. Especially when it has to do with abuse and manipulation. Trust is a gradual process that is earned.
Jesus is the most beautiful example! Of course this comes just when I need it. Unity is the word of the year for me.
The line "when we act with a spirit of love, everything changes." Made me tear up because it's such a beautiful and true statement. May God be praised forever and ever. Amen
sisters, I feel so far from god today! I had someone, once again, ask me for tech support on twitter last night. I do this all day long so don't do it after hours and then feel guilty. It's horrible but I have had friends tell me it's ok to say no, even my pastor today. but why can't I get that close presence of God back? please pray for me. i have been trying all day but there's a brick wall.
Have faith sister! God is there. Seek Him out! Get rid of the muck, so you can hear Him!
My sister its okay to say no. Boundaries, as christians we have none
I too suffer from wanting everyone to like me, not be upset with me, , let me fix it
Admit it and quit it! God loves you. Forgive yourself. God has not moved.
(I love that, Rocknitat55! “God has not moved”…wonderful to remember)
Jesus girl, I pray that God’s holiness surrounds you tonight as you reach out to him. Amen.
thanks sue and Rockinita55. thanks for this.
Praying for you. It’s so hard but at tines like this I try and base my faith on truth- keep praying, reading your bible, meeting with other Christians and talking about what your going through. Our feelings change but our faith can remain strong. Keep going and never feel guilty when you need to say no- better than burn out!
Sisters, I have been really struggling this week. I don’t know why I’ve had such intense feelings of fear and anxiety, it has come completely out
of the blue! All I know is I have an intense feeling of foreboding that won’t go away…
Again I’m asking for your prayers, to help me stay steadfast in my faith! That the Lord will not forsake me, that I know He is with me, that I will not be alone because He is a God who keeps His promises.
Thank you Sisters for continuing to inspire me and for teaching me about our God- you all have been invaluable to me! I couldn’t have come this far in my walk with the Lord without SRT and the fellowship of all you beautiful women. God bless you today, and always!
Dear Ellen, you are in my prayers.xx
Praying Andi, that you have peace and relief!
Oh boy. This one really hit home for me today because of a bit of a conflict I’m having with an old friend. I haven’t done anything wrong in this situation necessarily, but I know my attitude toward her has not been in line with God’s attitude of forgiveness and grace that He has given me and her! I need to pray about this.
Sisters, I need your prayers. This MS flare-up has reached the point that I can no longer bear anything. I am clinging to the strength of our Heavenly Father. I cannot move without agony and pain and I have nothing left in me but sickness. I am headed back to the hospital today. Our hospitals here are not the best. In fact US News and World Reports recently ranked it as one of the most dangerous hospitals in America. On top of all that, my doctor, the only one who actually knows and understands my case is not available and the on-call doctor is more than likely a new resident or student, but is the only one available for me to see. I need a miracle. A true, God opening the skies and raining down mana and guiding with a pillar of cloud, parting of the Red Sea miracle! The same God who did those miracles is the same God I serve today, so I know and believe that He is able. Please pray. I know that where two or more gather in His name and seek His face He will be there and He will hear our prayers. Please pray. Please remember me today.
Lifting you up in prayer:
May his strength wash over you and be with you as you hold tightly to his hand . May his wings of protection surround you, as his healing breathe of peace overflows in and around you, his precious daughter. Amen.
Praying all of Psalm 91 for you.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 NIV)
praying…
Aww! i am so sorry, but your faith is an inspiration! Praying for you.
He that dwells in the secret place…. Andi I am praying for you.
Oh Andi I am sorry I am just now seeing this!! In Jesus' name we know you are our strength and our portion, our very present help in time of need. "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Zephaniah 3:17. I pray He calms all your fears about your hospital tonight and helps relieve your pain. I pray for a night of peace and rest. This wonderful song of Chris Tomlin's, Whom Shall I Fear, The God of Angel Armies is Always By My Side, is such a faith building song! Just click on the link, I pray it blesses you Andi! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiBn6mPjvG0 and you can visit my blog at http://www.hopeinthehealing.com it is a place for those with chronic illnesses and we share and encourage and pray for one another. God bless my friend.
Praying for you! Faith heals and prayer heals.. And you have both with you right now!!
"Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them, if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals of shame of their heads." Romans 12:20. Today's translation here is we are to do good to the one who has done US wrong! This is the same as in Matthew 5:44 "do good to them that hate you…" Easy to say, not so easy to do!
The hopeful effect would be that the way to promote peace is to do good, even to our enemies. The way to bring someone to repentance is to do him good. People will resist anger and vengeance but they can't resist goodness! It finds its way into the heart and convicts.
God works that same way with us, showing us mercy over and over again instead of the wrath we deserve. How could we show less to our enemies?!
So thankful for this reminder today…But Lord today I don't have a situation where I need it…please let me remember it when I need it most and THEN bring it to my mind and heart that I would show a Christ-like spirit and attitude.
Thak you SRT. This is just what I needed to start fresh this morning. It's been a rough week and i could hardly get focused on the Lord this morning for all the mess in my head. This helped me put everything in its proper perspective. I'm going forward today with a new attitude :)
Rocknitat55 thank you for your transparency. I pray that you will continue to uphold the bonds of unity; God sees your heart. Continue to be obedient and respect the Spiritual Authority under which God has placed you. Don’t know the detail and don’t need to; just remember God is in control. He sees and knows all and the way things may appear to the human eye are usually distorted. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.
Thank u for your advice. Blessings
My God! How awesome r u. To wake up this morning after going to bed, wrestling all night and then waking up with that acid in the pit of my stomach. How humbled I am this morning. Humbled but not surprised. Okay ladies I am gona stopped ranting, but I could just dance,dance! God never leaves us empty!
For those that have followed a while I have mentioned that I am in a Leadership role in my church,very visible. It is important that others see Christ thru me. Well lately there have been some decesions made,things asked of me that ‘I’ don’t agree with and just don’t want to do. I and 2 other leaders decided to speakout and stand our ground. Notice I said OUR ground. I prayed, fasted and listened for the small voice of God. Well ya’ll last nite I got called into one of the Pastor’s office along with my other rebellious co-harts( lol )to discuss our position. Both sides presented their positions. My fellow conspirators refused to budge and stormed out. I stayed, continued to talk and agreeded to disagree. Funny how the devil will set us up. I left
that meeting feeling defeated, feeling like I had betrayed myself. The Acid was roaring in the pit of my stomach
My God, why could I not grasp hold of “blessed are the peace makers”
So this moring after praying and asking God all night how was I going to make this cherade work, when I began to read todays devotion all I could do was weep. Tools, tools
SRT thank you for being a lamp from which God’s light shines. Nothing that was posted was new to me but while I read the devotion it felt as if God was chastning yet comforting me. I have forwarded this devotion to my partners n crime… lol I can only pray that it is received.
SRT again thank you for aiding me as I grow n Christ.
To all have a fantastic Friday!
Rocknita55, I have been in similar situations. Thanks for your openness. Back in my naivety I believed Christians could meet together, pray, seek God's word and will, before joining hands and singing Kum Ba Ya or We Are One In The Spirit. LOL Then I discovered even Christian leaders have their own agendas and God help me! That included me. Rats! Still sometimes I found it necessary to stand my ground…especially in issues that clearly were defined in scripture. I, also had to, didn't like it, compromise or simply accept another's decision and then work under that authority, praying for the person or persons and as a part of the leadership team, working in Unity. Unfortunately, it has never been easy and there have been a couple of times that stepping down was necessary, but most times it has worked it's way through…Aw! God's Grace. Praying for you as you seek to be an example of Christ to others.
Oh, it can be so hard to do! Acting in love, forgiving, holding our tongues, not speaking ill of those who’ve wronged or hurt us…a few statements I’ve heard that have really helped me…1) Hurting people hurt people. 2) Acceptance does no necessarily mean agreement. When I adopt those attitudes, it is easier to have the right heart towards others and to genuinely pray for them. And in the praying for them, my hurt is lessened and I get closer to a place of truly wanting blessings for them.
TGIF! Have a wonderfully blessed day, ladies!
Thank you, Lord for this is EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I pray that I can learn to accept others just as you have accepted me and my imperfections.
Sheri, you are in my prayers!
My dear sisters this is a word of encouragement for us all God bless u ,tnx
Have a blessed Friday girls! Praying for all of you this morning!
This unity we should strive for… It not only involves peace, encouragement, patience, living in harmony…. At the root of it all is love and forgiveness. The unconditional love that we learn and experience through our Heavenly Father. The forgiveness and redemption that we experience through the redemptive blood of Christ. We must forgive… And I mean forgive daily… For the pain of that acid to end. It is through God's Grace for us that we can show mercy to others. And trust me, sisters… The healing and unity will come.
That's the key to being able to let go and go forward. Amen, for the reminder!
Another timely word. God knows just what I need.
Oh ladies I had this exact feeling today oh lord knows how I needed to hear this today. But it’s so hard so difficult to just sit here and wish good on the person that hurt and abandoned my children and I and its so hard to just stop feeling that awful churning feeling at the put of my stomach or that achenes in my heart… But I’m trying I truly am with gods love going continue to pray for healing And to take this awful awful feeling away. May The Lord bless us all on our journey each and everyday ! Amen !
Prayers for you, Shari.
Praying for you.
Shari I pray The Lord will strengthen you today and wrap His arms around you, comfort you in His Word. "Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you,I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10. One of the most comforting scriptures in the Bible and it is still meant for you today!
If you have time Shari, visit my blog http://www.hopeinthehealing.com and contact me there if you like. It is a place of sharing and encouragement. We all here are praying for you too!
Shari, praying for you. Betrayal, abandonment like you speak of cannot easily be overcome. Of course, you know that. And unity that includes the one who left may not happen. But as God works His restoration in you and your children, I pray that you will be surrounded by people who minister grace and encouragement, by prayer warriors (I challenge all SRT sisters who read this to lift Shari and her family up in prayer today, as some already have. Let her know you are standing in the gap for her), and that the Holy Spirit replace the acid with the sweet taste of honey, and the ache in your heart with joy and hope for the future. And as the Romans' verse says today:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, (Romans 15:5 NIV
So that as you are restored, you can also help others heal. In this we stand united. Amen.
Many times we can only do our parts to keep unity. We can only check how our hearts and attitudes are with the Lord to make sure we are ok with others. Everyone has free will. How others choose to react or not react to us is between them and the Lord. It is not our responsibility to take on the burden of the decisions they make. Shari, when I've gone through horrible traumatic stuff in my life, I always somehow end up on my kitchen floor sobbing my heart out to the Lord and being angry, sad, etc and just telling and sometimes yelling out all the stuff that's in my heart. He always waits till I'm done before He starts talking to comfort me and to give me a Word from His Word to stand on. Healing will come, it takes time, step by step, hand in hand with the Lord. Don't hold it all in trying to be strong because we are just not strong enough. He is strong enough for us and it helps so much when we let it all out and allow Him to start healing us. Praying for you.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts.
Oh Shari, Ive been where u r. My son' dad left when he was 3. I raised him as a single parent. Often times i became the brunt of that abandonment. I ached for my son and I ached for myself. The healing is a process, but know that God is always there.
He comforts he heals he provides. Believe me there will come a time that you won't be angry. You will feel sorry for that person who will miss so many mildstones and memories. God Bless you and your family
Praying for you Shari. When we are hurting the most, that is where our heavenly father meets us and holds us dearly. You are his; your name is written in the palm of his hand.
May Gods Angels watch over you as he gives you peace and wisdom as you walk with Him through this season. May His light reflect the path for you to travel upon and may the Holy love of God surround you. Amen.