Listen:
“From him (Christ the head) the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does the work”. (Ephesians 4:16)
“Each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” (1 Corinthians 7:17)
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Reflection:
How do the fruit of the Spirit and especially faithfulness help transform us when in conflict? A conflict can be external, outside ourselves with a person or situation. Or the conflict can be internal, such as self-doubt, pride, or dealing with past wounds. Internal conflict can lead to external conflict.
What can we do when we find ourselves conflicted? Ask, is it external with a person, a situation or internal within ourselves?
We need to deal with ourselves first. I’ve found that by faithfully following daily and weekly practices of prayer and time in God’s word, guided by the Spirit, it can help me with my internal peace. In Lifesprings, we call this practicing our Rule or Rhythm of Life. If I am having trouble keeping my rhythms or I am stalled in my practices I get a partner. Currently Jacque is my accountability friend. In the midst of internal or external conflict, our faithfulness to call on our faithful God is essential. Scripture implores us over and over to call on the name of our faithful Lord. “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18
Faithfulness is a two-way street. First we faithfully open ourselves up to God’s revealing light on our situation and ask Him to show us the way forward. Secondly, we acknowledge the amazing, constant faithfulness of God who said he would never leave or forsake us (Joshua 1:7). We have the promise that if we call on Him, He will answer. (Jeremiah 33:3).
Ponder and Prayer of response:
“Do I know my God given gifts? Where do you and I need to reattach and use our gifts in the Body? Is there something you have been putting off that God has called you to do? Dear Jesus fill us with Your wisdom and discernment as we seek to use our gifts for Your Glory.”
—Submitted by Caron Hofer
(Caron lives near San Francisco and enjoys sewing, helping her husband recover from surgery and planning how to raise money for those sewing machines.)
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