Pray More, Argue Less

He's going to come talking about how he doesn't like this or that about you.  She is going to come to you with this issue and that one and she isn't going to be nice about explaining what is on her mind either. 

Your foe has an agenda and it goes something like this, "I didn't like the way she did that...I wish he hadn't said that...therefore I am going to tell this person how I feel." 

Foes come with emotional baggage.  Whether you are the one at fault or not, the point is the foe is ready for the fight, but not the battle.  You see, when one is fighting he or she is looking for the knock-out and hoping that will be it--you will go away, but when one is battling, everything is at war both in the natural and the spiritual and you and your Heavenly Father ain't going nowhere! 

So what are you going to do?  Well you could avoid the fight by not being available.  You could pray that your foe go away and you never see him or her again.  You could even pack up and declare yourself dead.  But seriously, what would any of these so-called easy-way-outs solve?  What lesson do you learn in fighting when you can let God into your mess and he can start and end the battle supernaturally even before you see the truce in the natural?  I prefer the latter option, because sometimes running just doesn't put things to rest like facing one's foe.  Running from the phone, the event, the person, the place, the thing, and so on doesn't do any good when the phone keeps ringing, the event is still going on, the person is still around, the place or thing still exists--now what? 

How about you prayerfully answer the cell phone, respond to the text, show up at the event, stop by unannounced for a visit carrying your foe's belongings, or being at the right place at the right time with the good news--that's right good news that you are free in Christ!  "I am free," you exclaim.  "I no longer feel the need to avoid you, cover up my feelings, and so on.  I want to put XYZ to rest; therefore, here is my solution," you say. 

Your foe isn't going to like the fact that you are controlling the confrontation--that you are getting your way.  So this person is going to act difficult, create a few lies, basically get you upset.  Devilish people bound by Satan don't like saintly people free in Christ. 

Your foe is going to look for the blow-up argument (you know the one where people curse, yell, police are called, and hearts and things get broken?) At some point, your hater/enemy/jealous relative/crazy co-worker is going to expect you to lose control; therefore giving he or she good reason to bring in their plan to annihilate you.  So the wicked one picks on you, he name-calls, yell, accuses you of things you didn't do, brings up the past, but surprisingly you aren't moved by anything the evil spirit within or around this person says or does.  The threats mean nothing.  The mental game-playing (ie. guilt trips) with relatives and friends don't hold any power anymore.  You aren't staying up all night crying or complaining about your foe issues.  You could care less about the He say/She say.  You have arrived, my friend!  You have reached the destination in your mind called, Peace.

Try as hard as you can with the help of the Holy Spirit to stand against your enemy wearing the full armor of God today, tonight and tomorrow!

Be grateful you have a Savior.  Pray more, argue less!


Nicholl McGuire

After the Storm: Here Comes the Blessing

The enemy sets us up for much pain and sorrow.  He wants us to suffer.  This is why the unexpected argument has the tendency to be more effective than any other tactic he uses.  He knows that when we are in a good mood, we don't see him coming.  Our defenses are weak--that is until we get caught up to speed!  But why does he bother influencing those we love to suddenly attack us?  Because he knows that there are blessings around the corner for us, that's why.

Think of all the times you have had to deal with confrontation and then soon afterward something good happened to you and those you love.  You couldn't believe that only yesterday, last week or last month, you felt like you were going to die with all the stress.  Yet, a great and mighty God still blesses you!  Give thanks today for all your heavenly Creator is doing or about to do in your life.

Refer to 2 Samuel 16:5-13  David didn't see his cursing coming.  He could have hurt the one offending him.  Read what he did or should I say didn't do.  Also, see video below.

The Unanticipated Argument

You didn't expect someone to come to you with an explosive outburst!  You lost your cool.  "Who did this person think he or she was talking to?  Why I never...?", you thought.

But it happens to those with or without a faith, the person with a chip on his or her shoulder is going to rant.  He or she may be a fellow believer or not.  Sometimes we falsely assume that because someone attends church, reads the Bible and does other spiritual things that he or she should act this way and that way.  However, we forget that God tells us in his word about man's deceitful heart.  He shares with us the many sins of men and women and provides numerous examples.  So why act shocked when you or they act out of character?

When we get into arguments with others, we have to remind ourselves to pray more and stay out of other people's quarrels when we can.  God never wanted us to put ourselves in positions where we are people's punching bags.  However, he didn't want us to act like fools right along with them either.

Find the time to apologize when you can.  Do prepare yourself for any future confrontations by paying closer attention to mannerisms of others when they are in your presence.  Remove yourself from the scene when you see the conversation is starting to heat up and there seems to be no resolve on a matter.  And most of all, remember to pray throughout the day whenever you have a moment.

I recall a young woman who often awoke on the wrong side of the bed show up to work each day in a department that I worked.  She found it amusing to talk about all of us from what we did to our hair to how we dressed.  In time, reports were circulated that this young woman was known for causing all sorts of problems and that she was at risk of being fired.  As much as I wanted to confront her on her wrongs, the Lord permitted me to say nothing, not even a "Hello."  I realized that silence kept the trouble-maker at bay.  Had I opened the door for small talk, eventually I would have said something that I would have later regretted.  God is good! (Update: the trouble making woman ended up being dealt with by her superior).

Peace be with you and those you love!

Nicholl