Core Scripture: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

Message: The world is not always about you, is it?  As much as I would love to enlighten others to my point of view, sometimes others will agree to disagree.  We are not all on the same wavelength, and although the goal is unity in the church, there are times when we are divided over certain issues.

Man, this takes me back to 2020.  The year we’d all probably soon like to forget.  My church went viral when the world shut down after Spring Break.  We even held Easter service online.  It just wasn’t the same!  And when social distancing was better understood, our church followed those guidelines in bringing people back with …

MANDATORY MASKS!!!  (Dum, dum, DUMMMMM)

Oh, my dear!  Mandatory?  The free masking troupe shouted loud from a hilltop for all to hear.  The maskers shouted back, “How dare you spread your germs our way!”  People quit the church all over based off of … masking?  Yes, masking.  I haven’t seen some old church friends since March 2020. 

Satan was chortling about that one.

But what do we do when we have disagreements with other Christians?  How do we handle the situation if there is a misunderstanding?  These are all legitimate questions proposed to me recently by one of my blog followers.  I told her I would do my best to obtain a Biblical perspective and write about it. 

• Rule Number 1: Take a step out of your own skin and consider the other person.  Our core scripture above demands that, and it is NOT easy!  Ask yourself how the misunderstanding occurred.  Questions are good both for you to reflect on and to ask the other person as well.  Maybe someone was having a bad day?  Maybe their past created some barriers?  Maybe they just heard you wrong?  It could be small or it could go deeper.  Be Sherlock Holmes.  Investigate the matter.
• Rule Number 2: Talk to your friend.  Face to face.  Matthew 18:15-17 tells us the formula.  First, try to meet one-on-one in private.  Nobody else.  If they remain stubborn, bring a couple Christian brothers (or sisters) with you to help.  If it is still an issue, then you take it to the church.  At that point if they are still against you, “let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”  Translation: shake the dust off your feet and move on with life. 
• Rule Number 3: Tone matters.  A lot!  When you are talking to this person, if you put them on the defensive from the beginning through your arrogant tone, it will not turn in your favor.  Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  And remember that tone can be misunderstood via email or text.  If at all possible avoid the digital and make it personal.  Yeah, you might have to garner more courage, but it is worth it!
• Rule Number 4: Have a heart of humility.  It is okay to admit you were wrong, and it is okay to forgive if they were wrong.  Ephesians 4:32 reminds us we need to forgive as Christ did.  Your flesh will scream about being right, but the Holy Spirit will shut that voice right out.  How do Christians get that Holy Spirit to prevail?  Simple … pray.  Pray for God to flush the anger and frustration out of your system.  He will listen! 
• Rule Number 5: Let peace prevail!  Romans 12:18 says, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”  The whipped cream and cherry on top comes in Galatians 6:10 when Paul reminds us to do good “especially to those in the family of faith.”  Remember that.  Christians are on your side!  They are not the enemy!  Oh, yes, the real enemy will try to make you think otherwise, but don’t believe his lies.  We are not perfect ourselves.  Why point fingers at other Christians? 

Quick story … Years ago I was at parent/teacher conferences.  It was a slow time with not too many customers, and our staff got going on the all-staff emails, joking, talking about the afterparty, etc.  I chuckled as I read the comments.  The majority were from a Christian brother on mine who had an extra slow night.  I replied to one of his last emails, saying something like, “And now I get to clean out all these emails from (INSERT NAME HERE).”  I forgot to put the smiley face emoji.  Or maybe the winky eye one. 

Whoops!

Fast forward two weeks later.  I get an email reply from him.  It was bitter, short, crisp, and to the point.  All it said was something like, “Dude, I am still upset about this.”  I looked above, finding my sarcastic email that he had taken seriously.  My heart sank!  Two weeks had passed, and I hadn’t even seen him!  I had no clue what was going on in his heart.  That day I almost ran down to his class after the final bell rang to apologize.  It was not an easy one to get over.  Things were awkward for a month or so, but they finally returned to normal.

The happy ending to this story comes in that he and I maintain a genuine friendship till this day.  Life took him to a new spot teaching in a new school, but I still see him every spring when he comes to sharpen the blade of my mower and change the oil.  His price is so much better than any mower service.  And I get to support a local friend!  One year I even paid him by taking him out to breakfast at IHOP.  Nothing like all you can eat pancakes or a Denver omelet to bond with a bud.

Disagreements will happen with Christ followers, but it is your choice on how you respond.  Use scripture as your weapon.  Remember, you are not fighting your friend … 

You are fighting Satan. 

Challenge: Which scripture above speaks the most to you?  Memorize it.  Meditate on it and put it in your heart so that you will not need a Google search to pull it up.  That way when the enemy tries to strike, you will be armed and ready.

Song application: “Forgiveness” by Matthew West

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It’s always anger’s own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you’ve got a right to hold a grudge
It’s the whisper in your ear saying set it free

Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

Prayer points: Lift up the following areas to the Lord …

• Praise God for the opportunities He gives us to show Christlike character like forgiveness.
• Pray that you can resolve conflict with Christians in a peaceful, understanding way.
• Pray for wisdom, intentional networking, and connections to be made in my current job search. 

Teachers Who Pray Zoom!

I have subscribed to this for some time now, but sadly I have never made time to join it.  Guess what?  I am going to try to be there, and I want YOU to be there too!  Hop on Zoom this coming Monday evening, the day after Father’s Day, and see what it is all about. 

• What: Teachers Who Pray Zoom
• When: Monday, June 19 at 7:00 PM central time
• Where: On Zoom (register below to get link)
• Who: Any Christian teacher who enjoys the power of prayer!
• Why: Because we can!
• Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqdeqgrD4iGNNMwE0pqDB6EkNKFFs0yjRs#/registration

Another cool blog: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/christian-conflict

Just for fun: I have not had the opportunity to share this amazing picture from our trip to Hawaii.  We are posing in the actual vehicle that Chris Pratt drove in the movie. Anyone think we have a chance to moonlight as actors? Wishful thinking. (Let it be noted my oldest was back at the hotel, fending off strep throat, watching Harry Potter and playing his Nintendo Switch.)

Prayer: Lord of peace, cover me with a Christlike attitude, especially when dealing with conflict with other Christians.  Amen.