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“See the opportunity for harmony rather than strife.”

A thought by Christine Caine from her book, Unstoppable: Running the Race You Were Born To Win (p. 155). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Here is another area where we can change our expectations and our perspective.  It is in the area of relationships.

Christine says, “Internal conflict can shut things down and slay your passion far quicker than any external attack. As long as you are working with human beings, you will contend with grumblers or be in danger of becoming one. Misunderstandings will occur. Egos will flare. Selfish ambition will rear its head. (And it may be in you! It certainly has been in me at times.)

“I have great news for you: Every time strife hits, you are being handed a beautiful opportunity to love like Jesus. People-loving is precisely the work of Christ in you, so count on growing in it. God’s Word spells out the guidelines. ‘Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many’ (Hebrews 12:14 – 15).”

She goes on, “We are pilgrims together on a journey with twists and turns. Live at peace with others, with no bitterness, so that others may see God at work in you. Love one another… On God’s vast canvas, strife is a tiny black dot, but what a beautiful picture it can become of forgiveness, grace, and love.”

When God’s Spirit controls our life, it brings out love and harmony.  When our spirit is in control it has the tendency to bring out selfishness and strife.  So, why not let God’s Spirit have control.  Would you look for harmony and not strife?  Would you?


Yes, yes!
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