We all have someone (perhaps multiple someones) with whom we relationally struggle or disagree. It could be a boss, a co-worker, someone at church or our spouse. It doesn’t matter. The truth is that life is full of conflict and occasionally/continually disagreeable people.
The bigger question is not who is a conflict FOR us but WHO are we going to go to about our conflicts?
We have written in the journey manual that to change a mind we have to change a heart…
I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:12 NIVA Warrior understands that to change a mind, you have to change a heart.
- Arguments breed arguments.
- Debate breeds debate.
- A heart change based upon revelation breeds permanence.
In other words when in conflict God’s people (warriors) should go to GOD and ask for revelation.
We might do well to remember that at the same time we are complaining…fretting…praying over how someone is treating us; someone else is likely complaining…fretting…praying over how WE are treating THEM.
We are all incomplete without Jesus. With Jesus we are complete and no longer have to worry about what others can do to us. Instead, we can take that same emotional energy and pray for them.
That is the heart of a warrior and one of God’s servants…YOU. And, it takes the heart of a warrior to turn the other cheek.
38-42“Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43-47“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. Matthew 5:38-47
Jim Crumbley uses his life experiences and experience in the Marine Corps (the good and the bad) to strengthen the church and build people. He and his wife Dona are on the Pastoral team at the C3 Church in Lawrenceville, Ga. 
