God is big enough to guide
us through perplexing interactions, even with fellow believers.
Sometimes I think
it might be simpler, though not necessarily easier, to face outright
confrontations than to puzzle our way through convoluted conflicts that make
pretenses of politeness.
If an enemy raised
a battle flag, we’d pick up our shields and stand our ground. We’ve pretty much
got that down.
But when someone
garbs himself (or herself) in friendly garments and sociable language, only to
knock out our kneecaps when we aren’t looking, we can be caught up in the fray
before we recognize it.
And what
can we do, if this onslaught comes from someone with whom we have no choice but
to interact?
If the apparent
attacker is tied to us as family, a close friend, a fellow church member, or an
everyday coworker, we may be stuck in one another’s path. We cannot simply
claim we are holding up healthy boundaries and move on.
That person will
still be there tomorrow, pounding on our hearts. He (or she) may even call it
tough love.
But here’s the
thing.
Tough love
only works, if the love is unquestionable and unshakable.
Without love, tough
love is simply tough. Confrontation without compassion is merely contention.
Someone in my
closest circle launched such an assault on me last week, lobbing grenades of
veiled criticisms and even an ultimatum in a group email. Frankly, it took more
willpower than I could ever muster on my own, just to refrain from responding.
Lord knows, that would only have prolonged the battle, which I refused to join. Thank God, He held me back.
The Lord is
there. And He knows.
He sees every
hurtful action, and He hears every heart-ripping word. He promises to right
every wrong and to protect those who belong to Him.
If God is for us,
who can be
against us?
(Romans 8:31b, NIV).
Many may oppose us –
for all sorts of reasons. But, when our closest companions raise
confrontations, simply for the sake of contention, can they really make it
stick?
Eventually, won’t
our God of love find a way to right the wrongs and encourage restored unity
among those who belong to Him?
Today’s
Bible promise would say so.
Image/s:
Scripture Graphic and
30 days of God’s Promises
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