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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
You have heard it. It is true. Every event, conflict, or problem in your live and mine - and the world - is spiritual at its core. Things may seem otherwise, at least at first. But by digging a little deeper, and by thinking about the issues, they all seem to have to do with attitudes, states of mind, and thought patterns when all the dust settles. When we really think about it, it is a spiritual problem. Mostly, spiritual problems are “people problems”.
The problem with the “problem” is that spiritual things are invisible. What we see is coming from something we cannot see. This follows a principle that the writer of the book of Hebrews reveals regarding God’s invisible providence in creation (Hebrews 11:3). That which we see is not “made of” that which we see. It carries through in all of creation. Not understanding where things “are coming from” cause all kinds of horrors. What results are misunderstanding, misapplication, false assumptions, and finally wrong actions all around.
Much of the conflict, problems, anger, heartaches and sorrows are the result of attempting to solve spiritual problems with physical resources. Sometimes, the physical can help, ease the pain for time. But the spiritual problem is still there. This is the difficulty we all have in living in the Spirit in an un-Spiritual world. This is especially true in relationships between people.
As we live our lives day by day, inevitably sooner or later someone will get in our way. Somehow, for some reason, God has put someone in our path that we cannot get around. Then we will probably attempt to go around. This having failed, we then realize that God is requiring us to stand and attempt to discern what it all means, and how to deal with it spiritually, which is what God wants us to do. The typical carnal response would be to go over them if necessary. Again that would be using physical resources to deal with a spiritual problem - band aide effort at best. Relationships are not solved by band aides, but by the Spirit of God. Jesus said something while on the cross that should cause us to pause and perhaps rethink our response in difficult relationships.
“Father forgive them - they do not know what they are doing!” (Luke 23:34) This should be our first thought as we encounter someone in our path who appears to be difficult to relate to, or understand. In the vernacular, begin by cutting them some slack, as difficult as this may be at times. Perhaps they do not know, or realize, the affect they are having on you. Perhaps it is intentional and vindictive. Either way, this is the place to begin. By doing so, you enter the realm of the Spiritual. It is there, and only there, that conflict can be resolved. You have entered into one of three great virtues - Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Follow the way of love next by striving to enter into their view of the situation. Why are they the way they are, and doing what they are doing. If they do not have God’s frame of reference, ask yourself where they could be “coming from”. If it can be known, what about their background, what and who influenced them during their lives, how they grew up, etc. There are reasons why we are all the way we are. What could be influencing them and you in the situation? God knows all about everyone involved. There is a reason - usually known only to Him - why they are in your path.
God chooses our relational encounters in life. He chose Abraham’s, Jacob’s, David’s, and Peter’s and Paul’s encounters and dialogues with other people. They are all put there for a grand design. How marvelous it is to contemplate the greatness and love of our God in condescending to be so intimately involved with us! He knows just who we need. He also knows just how much of them we can bear. Whoever is in your path, good or bad, for some reason you need them. And through it all - you will learn to trust Him.
If you had never had the problems, you would never have known how to solve them - spiritually.
Remember: you are in their path, too...and you may be their link to Jesus, and to eternity.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
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