Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Fight it OUT


We have two dogs.
Blu2 is an Afghan and Harley is a Newfoundland. Now Blu2 is always making sure that Harley is not getting something that he is not. This includes dog biscuits, water, attention of any kind or even the best sitting spot in the room. This continual competition or fighting, if you like, can and does get on our nerves.

I, being the big dog and the pack leader which both dogs know, have to step in every once in a while to stop the competition/fighting. However, there are times when they lay down and sleep next to each other. They play together and truly do enjoy each other. Remember dogs are pack animals and need to be around other dogs.
Now, every one of us lives around others. Family, the office, the neighborhood, the city, the country and so on. And there also seems to be a continual competition/fighting that goes on. One day we get along, the next day we are competing of the best spot, last cup of ice cream, the best office, job, attention of others, the list goes on.

James 4:1 MSG Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves.

Wanting our own way. My way or the highway. I like the way it was put in a movie a few years ago. “My way, the highway is not an option.” That’s how most of the fighting starts. No discussion, mutual agreement or even listening. No, it’s my way, what I want and everything else is no good or even just stupid..

1 Peter 2:1 MSG So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk.

This is were it eventually goes. Envy, hurtful talk, hurt feelings, frustration, disappointment, discouragement and even hatefulness. This verse says clean it up and sweep it all away. This is not an easy thing to do. I might be successful to do this myself. The problem arises when other folks don’t follow this verse. This is when you would like to put a blindfold on God and go for it. But you can’t blindfold God.

Here are a few things we can do in this kind of situation

1. Take the high road. Be the HERO and NOT a VILLIAN. Hero’s are those who have done the right thing when it wasn’t easy – villains are those who do the wrong things because it’s easy for them.
2. There is a reward in doing right – it’s know as a clear conscienceous.

And finally:

Romans 12:21 MSG Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

3. You never overcome evil with evil. It just gets worse. Do good and you will collect back good. Sometimes it takes awhile but believe me you will.

No comments: