#1perspective: Creative Use Of Conflict Series

#1 Perspective: CREATIVE USE OF CONFLICT.

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.

Kyfingers@aol.com

TEXT:

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to HIS PURPOSE.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

Amos 3:3 CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER UNLESS THEY AGREE?

2 Cor.12:9- 12 is this ... God’s grace is sufficient for thee, for God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. MOST GLADLY THEREFORE WILL I RATHER GLORY IN MY INFIRMITIES, THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON ME. THEREFORE I TAKE PLEASURE IN INFIRMITIES, IN REPROACHES, IN NECESSITIES, IN PERSECUTIONS, IN DISTRESSES FOR CHRIST’S SAKE: FOR WHEN I, AM, THEN, AM STRONG.

Perspective: choice of a view point; capacity to view things in their true relationship or relative importance; to look through; to see as it appears; illusion of depth and distance; mental view.

Friends, let us ponder a deep thought:

PERSPECTIVE:

CREATIVE USE OF CONFLICT?

A preacher friend sent me an illustration and immediately my spirit raced, and in the next four hours, I received four sermons that have absolutely burned into my inner man.

Here is the story adapted my way: ...

The sun was shining so bright, so the turtle pulled over to take a nap.

While he was napping, a snail came creeping ever so slowly, and saw a big bump.

The snail very slowly climbed up on the back of the turtle, the snail rested on top of the turtle.

Later the turtle was awaken and started his journey.

In great excitement the snail started screaming, "WHEEEEE, WHEEEEEE!"

From the snails perspective this was the most exciting, fastest experience of his whole life.

The snail lost his breath with all the speed?

(I ponder, what if the snail had crawled upon a rabbit?)

Life is how we look at things.

Our focus, our attitudes, our motives.

Most know, I am between 6’2" and 6’3" and I weigh 270.

I see things from a different angle than my 5’1", Linda, my wife of 31 years.

I go into a home and see dust on top of refrigerators.

Linda has never seen the top of a refrigerator from her perspective.

Well, there are much greater differences than that.

We play Monopoly, I want to own every piece of property, every house and motel, and ALL the money in the bank!

If Linda is winning, she offers to loan me money to keep me afloat?

I think something, Linda feels something?

I say, "How can you feel that, that logically is so stupid!"

She replies, "I don’t care what you think, I feel..."

When you are dating OPPOSITES ATTRACT,

after a few years of marriage ... OPPOSITES ATTACK.

I don’t care how smart or rich you are you cannot avoid all conflict.

Conflict is not good, conflict is not bad.

Conflict is neutral!

It is how we approach conflict that will make or break us.

I think all good, healthy relationships must come to realize and understand the dynamics of PERSPECTIVE.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to HIS PURPOSE.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

One thing that we often forget is GOD HAS A PURPOSE!

Do you know God’s purpose?

God’s purpose is much more than "JUST HANGING ON."

Storms, testing, trials are sure, but glory awaits and liberation comes.

Do we trust God?

Do we know that God knows what is best for you?

Do we know that God has a plan and turns negative situations

into a purpose of growth?

The easy way can lead to laziness and death.

Many see conflict as terrible and pray to be exempt.

God says, " I HAVE A PLAN, I AM BUILDING A MAN!"

My point of view can be different and we can still have agreement.

Amos 3:3 addresses a real problem with a question...

CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER UNLESS THEY AGREE?

We must see God loves variety, and many angled perspectives are better than one sided opinions.

We are called to COMPLEMENT, something to fill the void, complete, to make perfect. We need each other. Problems can accomplish the work of God.

No electrical circuit can be complete without a positive and a negative? Take one terminal lose from your battery and try to start the car?

Linda has been a balancing effect to me.

My board has been a great blessing to me.

Sometimes this process feels like a grinder,

and this has seemly caused pain, but that is not true.

We build each other.