Conflicts Abound

We live in a world of conflict.

Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. - James 4:1-3

I don't think we try hard enough to avoid or resolve conflicts. 

There is something to be said for inviting conflict as a way to engage and discuss differences, the way we used to do in debate class, for example.  But social media have changed the game, making it easy to initiate conflict and harder to foster a dialogue.

I have noticed some people posting that they are taking a break from social media as a means of regaining some sanity in their lives.  The constant barrage of insults and attacks has worn them out, and I can understand that.

I wonder, though, if turning off the noise really helps. 

The social media giants realize there is a problem.  They have tried to introduce changes in their algorithms to filter out what they see as negative or hateful, but is that the right answer?

James tells us we need to look at the source of our conflicts and deal with that.  He says it is our choices that make us susceptible to disputes, and I think he is onto something.

He tells us the things we want for ourselves and others are within our reach, but we just don't know how to ask for them.

Of course no one is going to buy that, right?  It sounds too easy.  If all we need to do to see justice reign in the world is to ask for it from God, why hasn't the world improved?  Why does it seem to get worse?

Jesus told his disciples to ask as though they had already received.  Believe so strongly that you can see the outcome before it happens.

There is no hedging our bets when it comes to faith in God.  Either we have it, or we don't.

And when we don't we doubt, and then we act against our own wishes.

When I leave it in God's hands, and believe He has it, things happen I didn't anticipate, things that may resolve the conflict in a way I couldn't imagine.

I saw this happen this week.

I have been struggling to find a way to help someone who is homeless and can't afford a security deposit.  After exhausting all known contacts and options, I was about to give up, but I trusted that my prayers would be answered.

At a conference this week, a woman came and sat at our table.  She helps people get funding for their security deposit.  I invited her to come and visit our pantry, and she did.  So did the person who needs help. 

They spent an hour together talking and filling out paperwork.

That is a very simple example, and in no way does it constitute the grand changes we may want to see in the world, but I believe it shows that faith and prayer can work.

So, I am willing to try James' method and give God a chance.

And for now, I will stay on social media, so you can continue to read these reflections and let me know your thoughts.

More to come...