is God trying to tell me something here??

Our Journey
Wednesday
September 21, 2005

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ?Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.? 20 To the contrary, ?if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.? 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:16-21

work it out

Had any conflict at your house this week? Be honest. Maybe it was one of those he-said-she-said things. First came the noise of quarreling, then even worse?the deafening silence. Do you know what I mean? So much of the pain in life flows from relational conflict. We think it'll go away if we just sweep it under the rug or flip some pages on the calendar, but we can't avoid it?so we need to resolve it!

God is all about his children living in peace. Romans 12:16-21 outlines seven steps to put conflict to rest. Paul wrote:

? Be aggressive. Be of the same mind toward one another (v.16). If you're not on good terms with somebody, go to him or her and work it out immediately.

? Be humble.Do not be haughty in mind. Do not be wise in your own estimation (v.16). Want a quick end to your conflict? Never allow yourself to be too proud to listen to the other person.

? Be positive.Never pay back evil for evil. Respect what is right in the sight of all (v.17). Fight fair! Focus on the others' strengths, not their weaknesses.

? Be peaceable. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone (v.18). Cut through all the pride and say, ?I want to work this out.? Seek peace.

? Be forgiving. Never take your own revenge (v.19). Forgiveness is moving from ?You owe me? to ?You owe me nothing.? There are no enduring relationships without forgiveness. Forgiveness is the choice to release others from the obligation that resulted when they hurt you. Initiate reconciliation and look for good results.

? Be provocative. If your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head (v.20). In other words, wow them with sincere kindness!

? Be strong. ?Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good? (v.21). When we let God download these seven things into our lives, a lot of great things will happen in our relationships. ?James MacDonald walkintheword.com

seeking: Father, what do these verses teach me about you? How have you called me to change?

responding: Which of the above seven steps do I need to focus on in resolving conflict? ? Which one do I do well? Which one is a struggle?

Father, thank you for such a clear peace plan in Romans 12. Help me to know, God, that the real healing and joy comes to me when I do what your Word says. Overcome my will with your grace, and create the desire in me to take these steps of obedience with those you have called me to love.

following: Time heals nothing?get your conflict resolved today.