Today’s devotion is entitled “Opportunities often come disguised as problems”. However, most times we look at problems at roadblocks to our progress. Fear will block us from rising up the minute a problem arises to say “you’ll never make it through this one” or “this is really big and there’s no easy solution” . So let’s look at relationship problems we frequently face and identify the opportunity behind them.
Relationship problems are opportunities
Jesus gave us the answer to relationship difficulties.
“I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer” Matthew 5:44 MSG
1.We have an opportunity to exercise love
We believe the love of God is shed abroad in our heart by the Holy Spirit. However, if love has no opportunity to be challenged, it is not exercised to its fullest extent. A harshly spoken word is an opportunity to let love overlook and speak back softly. When you are falsely accused, you have the choice to become angry or to let love cover the offense and not give it time to reside in your mind or bitterness grow in your heart.
2.We have an opportunity to see how developed we are in love
Tests are given to see how well you have studied and know the material being tested. An opportunity for strife is a test to show you how you are doing in your love walk. Most of the time people are failing this test daily. You hear it in the media and in gossip. Gossip is merely sharing offenses and seeds more offense. Sometimes the best thing to do is simply say nothing at all or better yet turn the conversation an entirely different direction.
3.We have an opportunity to respond with energy of prayer
Prayer takes energy. Prayer is a decision to help the person who hurt you. But prayer also is the salve for your wounds as well. When we decide to pray for the one who hurt us, we are the mature one. We realize that hurting people hurt people. Perhaps that person is not even aware they have done anything wrong because they are in such pain themselves. Perhaps the other person is really under much pressure. Whatever is the problem, when we respond with the energy of prayer to bless that person, we are stopping the negative stuff and allowing God to get involved and help the relationship.
Is your problem bringing out the best of you? Go back and read 1 Corinthians 13 from the Amplified Bible and where the word “love” is used, just substitute your name. I am patient and kind. I am not jealous or envious or rude. I take no thought of an evil done to me, pay no attention to a suffered wrong. Real maturity is found when we respond in love and this is a continual opportunity to grow.
