Devotionals

Conflict

by John Custer
07/28/20
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The old preacher and his wife were pleased that some new converts found their way into the country church where he pastored.  Wearing a tie, a wedding band, jewelry, makeup, and knee length skirts were taboo in their book.  The new converts looked up to them as spiritual leaders anyway.  

Then one day the old preacher’s wife died.  

The years passed and the converts and the old preacher moved to the same city fifty miles away. 

That was when the old preacher noticed an attractive younger lady who wore shorter skirts, some jewelry and makeup.  Admittedly, those differences should have been settled prior to marriage—but they weren’t.  Who would ever admit that a Godly man like the old preacher would have marital problems?  Certainly he didn’t think so.  It was all his wife’s fault.

Because he and his new wife attended different churches, she called on the new converts to take her to their church.  The old preacher didn’t like the “new converts” taking his wife to a different church so he visited them to complain.  

Now what would you do in that situation?  I Peter 3:11 (NIV) says, “They must seek peace and pursue it.”

Sometimes we can’t avoid conflict.   The converts were not defensive, but reminded him that he was the one who told them to take anyone to church that needed a ride.  It was resolved peacefully and everyone remained friends—the ultimate goal.

When you have genuine love, it will shine through, and help to ease a problem.

“Dear God, help me to know what to do to show your love when conflict arises.”

Sharing Christ is my purpose and passion.