One minute read.
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17, Acts 25:1-27, Psalm 5:1-12, Proverbs 18:19
Daily Verse: “A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.” Prov. 18:19
Effects of disputes.
Conflicts ruin relationships. People become offended, and a friend becomes an enemy as a result. Often, an unrealistic or unexpressed expectation causes separation.
For instance, I expect people to tell the truth and act with integrity, an expectation I have in relationships. But other people don’t value truth or have the same expectation. Therefore, having a relationship becomes difficult because no trust exists.
God has clear expectations of how we should live and operate. People who disagree with the Lord’s directions and openly defy Him become His enemy. We can’t force people to live up to our expectations, nor can God. Free will allows us to live our lives any way we want.
Not everyone wants to walk the same path. God gave us the ability to choose which way we want to go. Some people will head in the opposite direction of what we would like, and we have no choice but to let them go.
Lord, help us accept and love people, even when at odds. Give us soft hearts; let us not take offense when people don’t meet our expectations, but instead, learn to love those we disagree with in our lives. Help us honor You well today and always. IJNIP. Amen
