Life is Like Hockey
Misunderstandings can easily lead to broken relationships. Before this happens do your best to come to a resolution. Then graciously forgive. And move on.
Conflict is a fact of life. People have different motives, methods, perspectives, and desires. Some of these are sinful some are not. In fact trying to live a godly life in a sinful world will create conflict. Conflict per se isn't necessarily bad. But we have a problem when conflict stems from, is expressed with, or remains unresolved, because of sinful motives, attitudes, or actions.
God's Word addresses conflict with real practical direction aimed at our motives, attitudes, and actions.
Misunderstandings can easily lead to broken relationships. Before this happens do your best to come to a resolution. Then graciously forgive. And move on.
We tend to think of teens as the only ones who deal with rebellion and defiance but these tendencies are in all of us, no matter our age.
Someone may be making your life miserable. There may be another situation making you miserable. Whoever or whatever you’re up against there is no wall so strong that God is not stronger. What seems unchangeable is not. God can change hearts. God can change situations. Trust Him for the outcome.
We’re all tempted to get even when we’ve been wronged; our natural reaction is to retaliate. However, a better response extends grace. It not only demonstrates self-control but it shows you don’t take your cues from how the world would respond—but rather from what God wants you to do.
When someone hurts you deeply, it’s easy to feel justified in holding a grudge. But in this message, Chuck Swindoll warns us that holding onto resentment doesn’t just injure our relationship with the other person…it damages our relationship with God.
Conflicts among God's people are commonplace. But it doesn't have to be this way.
Throughout the history of the Church, there have been those who stirred up trouble and caused dissension. Unfortunately, there are always a few who refuse to repent even when confronted. Admittedly, these situations represent one of the more difficult and unpleasant aspects of ministry and the Christian life.
James deals directly with a common problem among Christians—“playing God.” Having just exposed our tendency to be self-assertive and quarrelsome, he goes a step further and shows a couple of the more familiar ways we assert an arrogant spirit.
In James 4:1-10, there is set forth the reasons for fights among believers as well as their tragic results. But James doesn't leave us without some answers on how to stop those conflicts that have taken their toll within our ranks.