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.
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!