Thought for the Day -Monday 7 September

 Thought for the Day – Monday 7^th September

‘I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.’ (Philippians 4: 2-3)

 

Yesterday we were talking about conflict resolution – but when were you last involved in an argument?

 

Probably more recently than you care to remember.

 

Sometimes what begins as a wee disagreement over something trivial can quickly and without you even realising it is happening, develop into a full blown argument. Sometimes there may be good cause for your argument, but more often than not it is about something trivial, perhaps even a futile cause, yet still it develops into an issue so hotly contested that tempers are raised and a heated argument follows with no one wishing to back down.

 

Whatever had come between Euodia and Syntyche we do not know, we are not told, but clearly whatever it was it became so serious that ‘daggers were drawn’ and sadly too, others had been drawn into their argument – which can often be the case in an argument where people may be encouraged to ‘take sides’.

 

Once a quarrel starts though it takes on a life of its own and the smallest details can be so magnified out of all proportion that sometimes the very thing which caused the argument in the first place becomes lost in a quagmire of real or imagined slights.   

 

Just imagine how many families have been divided by such arguments, how many friendships have been broken, how many feuds have been started all by a wee disagreement over the most trivial or insignificant of details which grows arms and legs!

 

An argument is easy to start but oh so difficult to end – so let’s just try our hardest to avoid starting one in the first place.

 

Prayer

 

Loving Lord,

You are our help in times of difficulty, our strength in times of weakness, our guide when we feel lost and alone. You have the power to transform lives, to mend broken relationships, to bring strength to the weary and hope to the broken hearted. So, if we fall into times of arguments, we pray that we would be aware of your presence, that we might know your gentle authority in all parts of our lives, leading us, guiding us, encouraging us, directing us and bringing us to a place of reconciliation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.