\'€¦Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness,");
document.writeln("humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other\'€™s faults and");
document.writeln("forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must");
document.writeln("forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together");
document.writeln("in perfect harmony.1
We were created to be in relationships. First and foremost,");
document.writeln("with God, then with others. However, relationships are not always easy. At");
document.writeln("times we may find ourselves in messy situations where it is difficult to");
document.writeln("navigate what our next step should be. It is important to remember that our");
document.writeln("goal is to glorify God with our words and actions despite the situation. There");
document.writeln("may be times where we find ourselves going round and round with the same arguments,");
document.writeln("which can cause discouragement and make us want to give up. But before giving");
document.writeln("up, I have learned to step back and take a \'€śtime out\'€ť in silence. When you");
document.writeln("remove yourself from a heated conversation, you prevent yourself from saying");
document.writeln("something in anger that you shouldn\'€™t have said. Sitting quietly with Jesus,");
document.writeln("away from the emotions and frustration, is many times just what we need to");
document.writeln("untangle the mess.
During the time of silence, we can ask God");
document.writeln("for wisdom and for clarity to understand the situation. We can humble ourselves");
document.writeln("and ask for God to show us our part in the problem, and for direction on our");
document.writeln("next action. Understanding that each person is in different seasons of life and");
document.writeln("spiritual growth can help produce patience and gentleness as we choose how to");
document.writeln("speak to them. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us that, \'€śa soft answer turns away wrath,");
document.writeln("but a harsh word stirs up anger.\'€ť I can tell you from experience that whoever");
document.writeln("said \'€śSticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me\'€ť was");
document.writeln("lying! Words can leave invisible wounds that are hard to heal. Therefore, it is");
document.writeln("important to choose our words wisely as we seek to solve conflict.
After spending this time with God, we can be sure that He");
document.writeln("is in control, and he will make the solution clear. When we make every effort");
document.writeln("to handle conflict well, it takes the pressure off of having to make everything");
document.writeln("turn out well. Many relationships grow stronger through times of conflict, as");
document.writeln("they learn to understand and appreciate the differences. Other relationships,");
document.writeln("however, will come to an end. The only person we can control is ourselves, so");
document.writeln("as long as we are acting in love and seeking God\'€™s guidance, we can leave the");
document.writeln("outcome up to Him. We can rest knowing that God is working good things in us");
document.writeln("and through us.
Suggested prayer: Lord, during difficult situations I ask");
document.writeln("that you help me remember to step back and spend some quiet time with you. Help");
document.writeln("my words and actions be glorifying to you and help me trust you with the");
document.writeln("outcome. Replace my anxiety with your peace and give me wisdom in all things.");
document.writeln("In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
1. Colossians");
document.writeln("3:12-14.
Today\'€™s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.
"); document.writeln("
This and other devotionals by Richard (Dick) Innes can be read online.
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