Bugged

And now I want to plead with those two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true teammate, to help these women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. And they worked with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. (Philippians 4:2-3, NIV)

Good Morning!

The triple digit heat drove the bugs in our area to regroup and come out in full force during the night. I entered a battle with these bugs on the drive home last night. The army of bugs hit my car, plastering the windshield and headlights with unbelievable force. The force created sounds similar to being shot at by a pellet gun. While, these ferocious bugs lost their life in the battle they made it difficult for me to see on the darkened roads. You might say . . . hmm. . . well . . . that they bugged me!

The battle of the bugs pales in comparison to the battles within humanity. That said, we need to face the fact that conflict happens. People “bug” (annoy, irritate, and infuriate) one another. Ultimately, the goal is not to avoid conflict but to manage it by moving from the chaos and confusion in the battles of conflict to reconciliation.

The Apostle Paul discussed conflict that occurred between two women leaders in the church at Philippi. These two women, Euodia and Syntyche, evidently were bugged with one another. Most of us would prefer to avoid conflict; however, avoidance often creates divisiveness. The key to conflict is to face and manage conflict. The Apostle Paul asked for help to ensure that these women would reconcile rather than continue with the conflict. The conflict needed to be examined for a solution to be found, which in the end would reinforce the value of cohesiveness and unity.

Admit that you are bugged by something and/or someone.
Evaluate who and what bugs you.
Seek God to bring peace through reconciliation.
Take time to meditate on the peace of Christ, the Reconciler.
Be still to know the presence of the Reconciler.
Slowly read today’s scripture.
Let the Word of God settle into your mind and heart.
Center your thoughts on Christ.
Refuse to remain in a bugged-state of being.
Resolve whatever has bugged you.
Celebrate the power of reconciliation.

Learning with you to refuse to remain bugged by something and/or someone,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)