The Benefits of Conflict
by Harold Vaughan
Scripture Reading --1 John 2:13b
"I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one."
When conflict comes, it can be a stepping stone or sinking sand. Hardships will move us closer to or farther away from God. Calamity can be a step forward or a slide backward. Nothing in life can harm us unless we allow ourselves to develop a bad attitude.
Conflict develops our integrity. Abraham Lincoln said, "Rivers follow the line of least resistance; that's why they're so crooked." A person who has no challenges becomes flabby. An athlete disciplines himself to get in shape. Because physical fitness has so many barriers, competitors are forced to work at it. Those who desire to excel in sports must pay a price to get in shape. The rigorous terrain of the spiritual landscape provides an excellent obstacle course for us as Christian soldiers. Life isn't always easy.
God wants us to be victorious. Overcomers view obstacles as opportunities. God gives us barriers not to destroy us but to develop us. Let's recall how the devil mercilessly attacked Job. His home, health, and herds were all destroyed. In her despair, his wife even turned against him. Yet in all this, Job didn't curse or charge God foolishly. He held his tongue. Job learned things about himself he couldn't have learned any other way. He was blessed more after the calamity than before.
"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin" (1 Pet. 4:1). God can use affliction to purge our hearts. Suffering has a way of causing us to concentrate on things that are really important.
There's no such thing as a saint who hasn't suffered. Let's not buy into the notion that God's people are immune from sorrow. Rather, we must understand that trouble can develop our integrity.
Thought: "There can be no victory where there is no combat." --Richard Sibbes
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