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Week Six: Battles on the Journey
Day Five: Conflict in RelationshipsJust as we may doubt and be concerned about challenges on our spiritual journey, we can become worried when challenges show up in our relationships. Sometimes people feel it is wrong to ever have any discord. In fact, they may deny that they experience any conflict. For example, in a relationship people might say: "We don’t have any problems; we never argue." This fear of conflict may come from our upbringing; we may unconsciously assume that conflict is bad and then develop a fear of coming into conflict with others. People who refuse to face any issues and battles cannot grow. It is erroneous to picture a perfect relationship as one that never has any problems or disagreements. In a family, when issues inevitably arise, parents may panic and feel something is desperately wrong. Healthy relationships, however, are not relationships devoid of problems, but relationships in which the problems that arise are faced and handled, even though it may be painful. Some doctors might wish for their patients to stop getting sick, or learn how to treat their own illnesses. As peaceful as this dream may seem, doctors may also realize that the minute their patients stop coming to them they are no longer needed. Conflicts need not be dreaded. The key is to meet them when they arise, before serious resentments build up. Moses led the children of Israel to fight against the Amalekites because otherwise they would have been destroyed. It is interesting that the biblical story does not emphasize the mechanics of the battle, rather the solution emphasizes how Moses looked to the Lord. When conflicts arise in our relationships, we too must look to the Lord. And when we become exhausted and feel we are losing our resolve, we must ask our friends and our spiritual community – neighbors, spouse, family, and spiritual mentors – for support in keeping our focus on the Lord and all that is good. Offering and Accepting Help Reflection
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FoundationsDivine truth coming from the Lord flows into the good residing with the person, and by means of it He draws a person to Himself. For life which comes from the Lord is attractive or draws others to itself because it springs from love, and all love holds a power of attraction because of its desire to be joined to another so that they may be one. Secrets of Heaven 8604 Task for the Week
SermonsExodus Part 9, How to Win the Battle |
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Offer and accept Support that Helps to Focus on the Lord Accept help on your journey and offer support to others striving to focus on the Lord.