Strife is bickering, argument, and an angry undercurrent - (what we have when people are pretending that everthing is ok.) Strife is a tool that Satan uses to destroy relationships, businesses, churches. We can not be annointed when there is strife. Strife is POISON.
When we don't deal with the stuff that is going on , it becomes something that can destroy. If we do not make a commitment to have peace in our life and our relationships, we will experience continued strife. HUMBLE your attitude and your mind. Be a maker and maintainer of Peace.
Matthew 18:19 - Live in Agreement. If any two people agree about whatever they ask, it will come to pass and be done! WOW!! If only 2 people that will make the commitment to get along, to keep the strife out of their mind, heart, and lives, and they pray, God will do GREAT THINGS!! We need to keep strife out of our life, don't give the devil a foothold in your life. IF he gets a foothold, that gives him a stronghold. There is power in agreement.
Genesis 13:5-17 Although Lot was given everything that he ever wanted from Abram, when their flocks had multiplied and grown far outgrowing the land that they were currently on, it wasn't enough. When the workers began fighting, Abram felt that it was better to allow Lot to pick what land he wanted this and have peace than have strife in his life, and fighting amongst his workers. Abram knew it was better to have peace about where he was instead of allowing himself to be upset and agry over how selfish Lot was for taking the best most fertile area. Once Lot was gone, the Lord spoke to Abram... Maybe you don't like where you are right now, maybe someone has stolen your reputation, your innocence, your peace, whatever, and you're left with nothing... LOOK from the place where you are. Don't keep staring at the place where you're at, lift your eyes, and move forward. Don't keep looking back at what people did to you. Don't keep internalizing what happened. We've all been hurt - we're never prepared for the hurt - Get over being shocked about what people can do to us. Be hurt - don't be devistated. Fall down - but get up. KEEP Going Forward!!!! I am not going to allow someone elses stupid decision ruin my life!
Romans 12:16 - Live in harmony with one another, don't be proud, haughty, high minded, exclusive but Readily adjust yourself to people and things, associate or give yourself to humble tasks. Do not overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.
It may be hard for you to adapt. but if you see that the person is not going to change - why are you trying to fight it. "If you're riding a horse up a mountain, and the horse dies, get off! make a nother plan, cuz if you keep riding it, you're going to go nowhere. " (Joyce Meyer)
I am adaptable, pliable, moldable. Paul was all things to all people (he could get along with everyone!)
We always want the other person to do what's right first - we don't like to adapt. We tend to stay miserable - when we do this, and it makes us a terrible witness.
contention comes only from pride.
You can not have offense without pride.
If Abram did not take a step back - because of his love for God, he would not have ended up with all the blessings he had.
As soon as you start having negative thinking. shut your mind against it! When everyone is trying to prove what they know, but they really don't know anything, they foster strife and breed quarrels. We all are teaching with our lifestyle - do what is right, don't preach to them, they will follow their example. We must be willing to suffer wrong - even though we know that we are right.
In many cases.... When we take the emotion out of the situation, we can see how totally rediculous the situation is. 2 Timothy 2: 23 -24 "don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants "
1 Peter 3: 10-11 Search for peace - AND WORK to maintain it.
Three steps to have peace in your life.
1. Peace with God - repent, turn, desire a relationship with Him! Are you giving God a chance to tell you what He wants for your life. 1 Corinthians 2:2 - all I need to know is God! i don't have to figure out why.. I just need to trust.
We can not have sourness in our spirit, from being mad at God. 1 Corinthians 10:9-11 Deut 8:2 talking of the Israelites - they were in the wilderness for 40 years because they were grumbling, and complaining. learn this lesson, and have peace with Him! it's easy to praise Him, when things are going your way... but... it's when things aren't going our way, we need to praise him no matter what.
2. Peace with Yourself - It is hard to get along with people when we do not even like ourselves. We have to have relationships with ourselves, and so many times, we don't like ourselves.
3. Peace with People.
((Paraphrased,added and modified when listening to Joyce Meyer (7/13-14-15/2011) Broadcasts.))
