Something to Think About

....whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable
--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--
think about such things
(Philippians 4:8).

Life is stressful. Conflicts are at every turn. Family, work, school, church, and within are the most common locations of conflict. These locations have a common denominator - relationships.

The book of Philippians (Bible: New Testament), is often thought of as the "joy book." Paul the Apostle, the writer of the book idefinitelyly admonishing the Philippians to be joyful. However, the church of Philippi was involved in some conflict, most notably between two women, Euodia and Syntyche. This relationship wasiphoningng the joy out of the church.

Conflict evaporates the joy in our life. What can we do to eliminate conflict?

Begin by thinking differently. Find a peaceful place, and begin thinking about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Read scripture, especially the words of Jesus, most notably his message found in Matthew 5-7, and the entire book of Philippians.

Pray for humility. Humility can change relationships. Following the model of Jesus. Paul describes it in a Philippians 2.

In your relationships with one another,
have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human being,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

What do you think?