WATCHWORD:
And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous; for thus the LORD will do to all the enemies against whom you fight.” Joshua 10:25
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Meditation:
Conflict vs. Comfort
Occasionally we have talked about our “comfort zone” in these Watchword meditations. How would you describe your comfort zone? Maybe a state of being that feels good, and feels … well, comfortable and safe. It is one of those human conditions that might be difficult to communicate to another, but you know when you are taken out of yours. We don’t like that!
We don’t like conflict. We don’t like confrontations. We don’t like those things that make us feel uncomfortable. The truth is that with conflict, confrontations, stress, etc. there is a change and we don’t like that change! We feel a certain threat by the news of the day. We are saddened by tragedies that seem to be coming on a daily basis. We are stressed by reports related to Covid, vaccinations, etc. And we are anxious about that is happening throughout out nation.
On a personal level, we are thrown off stride by something as common as physical pain, the natural process of growing older. We sometimes get upset when we can’t do those things that we used to do so easily. All of these combine to cause us stress, worry, anger, even fear, in our lives. We are in turmoil. We are conflicted.
We mortals are so fickle! We say we trust God and that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, then off we go being our own god! As a result, we wallow in our own created stress, worry, fear, etc. Self-inflicted evil. Oh, sure, we could recite assurances from our Lord. We hear: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). Right there are instructions from God, and His promise of peace. Follow Him and we will return to our comfort zone, the Peace of God, and yet…why don’t we?
Even though our world has changed drastically since the time of Jesus, the basic needs of humanity, of you and I, have not changed. Jesus repeatedly challenged his disciples not to worry or be afraid, and yet they did worry and were afraid. That fear became intense at the foot of the Cross. Of course, that soon changed!
So, be honest, is the way you deal with stress or conflict or sudden life changes a positive or not? If not, what then? What works for you? How do you move from that state of anxiety back into your comfort zone? May I suggest this simple formula: Talk to God, surrender it all to Him, be honest with yourself and with your Lord. Do that and everything else follows! Peace, confidence, and a return to your God-graced comfort zone. Trust that, believe that, do that! Our Lord is faithful. Amen.
A Truth to Live in Peace:
You have a Savior. He works through you. You don’t have to be enough because He is enough and you are His.” It’s not about us; it’s about God’s power and our trust in Him.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly father, strengthen me to choose trust in you. Order my steps that I may walk in paths of righteousness. May peace and joy lift me above my own fears and stresses. Give me rest in the shadow of your great strength. I know that my hope is secure in your faithfulness. Lord Jesus, I offer these words of prayer in Your name. Amen.
