I spent some time visiting with a dear friend the other day. We each have things that are heavy on our hearts. Issues that we see as being potential problems for God’s people. Situations where individuals are investing themselves in things that could ultimately hurt them spiritually, and also have a ricochet effect on the lives of those closest to them.
How do you handle this kind of conversation?
I have a few tips to share should you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
1. Don’t Gossip
- Be very careful to discuss the problem without names.
- Details are unnecessary, stick to the big picture.
- Focus on the problem, not the people (the sin not the sinner).
2. Don’t Judge
- Keep your heart tender.
- Recognize your own sins.
- Remember the mission is to extend God’s love to hurting people.
3. Put Away Your Weapons
- Words can be weapons of mass destruction.
- Don’t divide God’s army into regiments by stirring up strife.
- Engage the Sword of the Spirit personally through prayer and Bible study.
4. Be Patient
- Pray.
- Wait on God to open doors for you.
- Pray.
- Trust God’s timing to walk You through open doors.
I’m going to share with you that this list has come through many personal failures.
I used to be a “fixer.” I’d see a problem and charge in wielding my weapon and war would be waged. But wars always leave casualties. Always.
In Scripture, there were certainly times when God led His people into battle quickly . . . but there were also times when He told them to wait while He went ahead of them and prepared the way. Either way, the point is that God was doing the leading.
Just because I am agitated about something doesn’t mean that God is preparing me for battle. He might be, but He might just be inviting me to pray for the individuals whose battle it is to fight.
Pray and wait!
When it comes to battles I pray and then I pray more. I ask God to help me to keep my eyes on Him and trust His guidance. Then I wait for Him to open doors, and I ask Him to give me a nudge through those He intends for me to walk through.
I said to the Lord, “You are my God!” Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!
O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me, You protected me on the day of battle.
Lord, do not let evil people have their way.
Do not let their evil schemes succeed, or they will become proud. Psalm 140:6-8But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:15-16,22-23a