DEALING WITH CONFLICT

Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.” Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them, and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” And Moses took the staff from before the Lord, as he commanded him. (‭Numbers‬ ‭20‬:‭2-9‬ ESV)

One of the struggles of pastoring is that of strife and quarreling and division between people.  In a perfect world that would not be the case but in my world - there is always something brewing somewhere.

If it is not one thing - it is another.  The fact is, we are all human and we still live on earth and we have to learn how to get along.

My goal is always to bring Jesus alongside of any problems that might arise and to allow the Holy Spirit to show up heal whatever situation that we are facing.  

I like what is said in Acts 9:31...

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. (‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭31‬ ESV)

I'm not an idealist but a realist when it comes to matters like this.  Life happens.  People get offended.  But here's the thing - it is God's intention that we always come to Him for solutions and that we allow the Holy Spirit to reign and rule over every difficulty and hard place - whether at church or at home or at school or even at work.

When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ESV)

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ ESV)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ESV)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ESV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6-7‬ ESV)

I have been a pastor for now over 40 years.  I've seen about everything there is to see.  I've faced about every problem known to mankind.  People come in different body suits but their agendas are all the same and pride hinders them from moving forward or getting the peace they so need.

Quite honestly, if there is conflict in your life, the only person who can really touch you is God.  You need the power of His Holy Spirit.

Psalm 23 gives a vivid picture of this as the shepherd takes care of his sheep.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (‭Psalm‬ ‭23‬:‭5‬ ESV)

During the mating season the male sheep become aggressive with another as they fight over the ewes.  The shepherd coats their head with oil (kind of like an axle grease).  Instead of butting their heads against one another and hurting one another they just glide past one another.

Should not this be the way we should live?  Instead of conflict and problems we should be going to God our Father and allow Him to coat our lives with the oil of the Holy Spirit to help us deal with every difficulty that besets us.

God is the healer of conflicts and He is the resolver of problems.  He is waiting for you to depend on Him and to allow your life to come under His covering.  He's got this!  He's not surprised by what you are going through and He wants to come along your side and help you to be an overcomer in your life.  Trust Him with your conflict today!