Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Proverbs 27:10-20 and Romans 12:9-20
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Before fulfilling his dream of walking to the South Pole, environmentalist and explorer Robert Swan set out to choose the right team for that grueling trip. Surprisingly, he chose people who would be difficult to live with. He knew that people who are easy to live with might also be easy to die with when you're negotiating 853 miles of the most inhospitable land on the planet. Calling one teammate "the most pessimistic person," Robert said, "He won't go shopping unless he has read a weather forecast. But he added, "You need somebody like Roger to be thinking about the worst-case scenario" (Christianglobe.com).
Did you ever ponder why God placed certain difficult people into your life? As Christians, we are certainly not exempt from personality conflicts, especially in trying times. So when conflict awaits, tempers start to flare, and the circumstances seem insurmountable, we tend to think in terms of "if only. For this, we might say, If only he would just change, or If only she would leave! However, we should be thanking God for that person--whether they are a Christian or not--because they were placed in our lives by God for one reason or another.
In Proverbs 27, Solomon explains that challenges tend to drive us to God for help, which is the place where we should be in the first place. He wrote, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (27:7). Though the friction may be unpleasant, the result is a useful tool, honed to perfection by the challenge of another.
Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Are you in the midst of a conflict with another person? Then take to heart the words of Paul in Romans 12:18. Understand that not everyone will be at peace with you and not everyone will agree with you. But don't make this an excuse for you not to love the other person. Instead, pray to the Lord for strength, patience, and mercy as you face this person today.
Faith Lesson: Since conflict is inevitable, we must ask the Lord for help not to blow our top, and instead to learn from the situation.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
READ: Proverbs 27:10-20 and Romans 12:9-20
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Before fulfilling his dream of walking to the South Pole, environmentalist and explorer Robert Swan set out to choose the right team for that grueling trip. Surprisingly, he chose people who would be difficult to live with. He knew that people who are easy to live with might also be easy to die with when you're negotiating 853 miles of the most inhospitable land on the planet. Calling one teammate "the most pessimistic person," Robert said, "He won't go shopping unless he has read a weather forecast. But he added, "You need somebody like Roger to be thinking about the worst-case scenario" (Christianglobe.com).
Did you ever ponder why God placed certain difficult people into your life? As Christians, we are certainly not exempt from personality conflicts, especially in trying times. So when conflict awaits, tempers start to flare, and the circumstances seem insurmountable, we tend to think in terms of "if only. For this, we might say, If only he would just change, or If only she would leave! However, we should be thanking God for that person--whether they are a Christian or not--because they were placed in our lives by God for one reason or another.
In Proverbs 27, Solomon explains that challenges tend to drive us to God for help, which is the place where we should be in the first place. He wrote, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (27:7). Though the friction may be unpleasant, the result is a useful tool, honed to perfection by the challenge of another.
Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Are you in the midst of a conflict with another person? Then take to heart the words of Paul in Romans 12:18. Understand that not everyone will be at peace with you and not everyone will agree with you. But don't make this an excuse for you not to love the other person. Instead, pray to the Lord for strength, patience, and mercy as you face this person today.
Faith Lesson: Since conflict is inevitable, we must ask the Lord for help not to blow our top, and instead to learn from the situation.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
