Rodney Drury: The Grace of Conflict

We are in a time of transition. For many of us this is personal, but we are also in a National and Global transition. God has said that He will shake everything that can be shaken, and I think some of this is happening now. This shaking will expose the negative, but more than that, it will highlight the positive. Now is a great time for us to receive this "grace of shaking", which for many of us is in the form of conflict. It may seem strange to see conflict as God's grace on our lives, but it is not.

Conflict can come in several forms. First there is competition and opposing actions. Secondly there are mental struggles that come from internal drives, wishes and demands. Thirdly there are conflicts with people that have conflicting actions and drama. In the world in which we live in, competition, internal struggles and personal conflict are an ongoing daily challenge.

Now think of some of the people in the Bible who were "conflicted" and went through the process only to accomplish God's will in God's way. Right now many of us are still trying to do God's will our way. The grace of conflict helps to refine us and surrender our lives on a deeper level so that God is more glorified and we are more delighted in Him. The conflicts of family troubles, opposing enemies, betrayal, rejection, injustice are all settings in the Bible that God used to build His people and prepare them to do His will. Conflict is often our best friend, in the sense of training and equipping.

The first thing we must learn regarding conflict is not to run from it. Many of us are more immature than we ought to be at this time because we ran away from the very things God sent into our lives to mature us. God is not seeking to hurt us or cause us pain, but God is seeking to have us win real battles in real life. The testimony of someone who has gone through a real life struggle is much more authoritative and compassionate than those who only imagine they have gone through such. Talking to a war vet who has been there and laid down his life in protection of his buddies is very different than talking to the soldier who says he is willing to, but has never been in battle. One can speak from what they hope is in their heart, the other speaks from what they have lived through. One has the idea of overcoming the fears and issues, the other knows the real conflict of doing so. God is building some real life champions who are being tired and tested in life, not in a worship set, prayer room or religious meeting.

While attending church and small group meetings are great and essential, we need more to stand for our Lord in this hour. God is giving us the grace of conflict now so that we truly know how to be over comers. We have sang about it in worship, we have studied it in our Bible lessons, we have possibly even made PowerPoint illustrations and YouTube videos about overcoming. Now it is time to live it out. Those of you in conflict now should smile right now. Whisper to yourself, "God has me right where He wants me".

So look at the areas of your life that are conflicted and invite the Master into that space with you to lead you into victory. Victory, not around the troubles, but through them. Ask God to increase you vision so that you can see Him in the battles. Desire more the strength of the Lord in your weakness than the comforts of life that may seem to satisfy, but often steal from you your Christ like transformation. Get yourself a theme song to proclaim while heading into the conflict. Following is an old one you might still consider using.

Onward, Christian soldiers

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see his banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee; on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise; brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God; brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we, one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail; we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King, this through countless ages men and angels sing.