1) You can not change or reason with people and the thoughts of people who are fanatical about their beliefs.
2) Fury is a consuming fire that feeds on kindling of minds which are not set on a path of truth
3) Culture takes years to develop and will take years to redevelop, in the meantime we must keep a secured guard up
4) A leader has to lead and strength comes from having a true conviction, even bad leaders gain momentum if they are truly convicted about a cause
5) There is always a bigger story that only God knows
6) Repercussions of cultural volatile behavior are recognized in the cultural aftermath
I have no answers, I have no suggestions, I listen to the news and process it just as all of you do. But what I do know is that God sits on His throne up above and is watching this whole story play out. He has seen and allowed the true and tragic consequences that have already come out of such an emotional demonstration and planned attacks and knows just how far and how long this fury will extend, and how the shaken governments and administration will react. I can not help but think, what would God do, how would he make his stand. And all I could come up with was this: He would stand firm, He would stand convicted, and He would not reward bad behavior, for that is the way he handles each of us. God is our ultimate leader because he stands for truth and conviction of principles based on love. Those principles are ones that are worthy and good for all of mankind. He doesn't make deals with the enemy and try to negotiate his way to popularity. He is God and if we choose to love Him and obey Him then we have chosen a side of favor, if not, there will be consequences to our choices. It is a simply packed bag of reality.
The MIddle East thing may not seem to be relative to our personal lives here, but there are many parallels. When we are in personal conflict, we are fighting against principles of God that we have chosen not to accept. For example, if we are rightfully angry with someone who has done us wrong, and we refuse to grant them forgiveness (even though we do not think they deserve it) we will suffer the consequences of packing heavy and carrying around baggage that weighs us down. We were forgiven when we did not deserve it, and God calls us to do the same thing. I wrestle with this now and then, and even when I know what I am suppose to do I hold onto a grudge and it does weigh me down. But forgiveness does not mean we have to condone things that we belief to be out of sync with God's ways. We are not to overlook and ignore, out of convenience or comfort, circumstances that are putting others in harms way. We are to speak the truth, fight for goodness and if there is not any mutual acceptance of differences, then move out of God's way and let Him handle a situation that is far above our heads. If life has dealt you some heavy blows, and you can't seem to get out from under the rubble of an emotional overload, it begs the question; have you asked God to lighten your load, and give you strength and stamina and confidence to trust Him so that you can travel about toward your goal of restoration, in spite of the obstacles. Have you accepted the truth that God can and will help you if you ask?
Or are you following the crowd and getting wrapped up in the fury of the moment without considering what you are really fighting for.
That all sounds a little simple I know but I say this because I do allow my feathers to get in a tiff when I allow opinions of others to override my true beliefs. I have to often step back and reasses the fact that God is in control, my getting in a huff will not change things but my prayers will be recognized by God himself and His will will ultimately be done. There are repercussions of bad behavior from any of us. We will not ever get it all right but as long as we are seeking God's ways, and truly aspiring to obey him in our everyday journey's, we will come away with a strengthened force of commitment to be at peace in spite of circumstances. The deal about conflict is we can either try to combat issues on our own in anger, frustration, and force or return whatever circumstance we have found ourselves in, back to the hands of God for him to find a workable solution. We, alone, are not able or created to be able, to take things of great magnitude into our own hands, because 1, we do not have weapons of the heart and mind great enough to combat a war-generated zone of contention, and 2, we are not at liberty to see a whole picture and know what the ultimate quest of God is through these uproars
that have been manifested.
That all sounds a little simple I know but I say this because I do allow my feathers to get in a tiff when I allow opinions of others to override my true beliefs. I have to often step back and reasses the fact that God is in control, my getting in a huff will not change things but my prayers will be recognized by God himself and His will will ultimately be done. There are repercussions of bad behavior from any of us. We will not ever get it all right but as long as we are seeking God's ways, and truly aspiring to obey him in our everyday journey's, we will come away with a strengthened force of commitment to be at peace in spite of circumstances. The deal about conflict is we can either try to combat issues on our own in anger, frustration, and force or return whatever circumstance we have found ourselves in, back to the hands of God for him to find a workable solution. We, alone, are not able or created to be able, to take things of great magnitude into our own hands, because 1, we do not have weapons of the heart and mind great enough to combat a war-generated zone of contention, and 2, we are not at liberty to see a whole picture and know what the ultimate quest of God is through these uproars
that have been manifested.
We have to be careful to know where we stand with God first, the ultimate leader of this universe, and not be swayed by opinions that do not line up with God's thinking and God's truth. We have to be firm in our beliefs not strive for popularity by others. This Middle East conflict has no easy answers, it is a journey that has already presented many an obstacle for each country involved but the dissidents have gained momentum because they are the activists. They have the loudest voice and the strongest convictions and are willing to fight to their death for what they believe. I have to ask myself, do I have that kind of conviction? Do I practice it in my daily stride? Combat, instigated by angry mobs is not God's answer to unrest, but not knowing God, millions in this middle east region have taken their religion into their own hands and conformed it into being a methodically instigated practice of war on westerners. It is brought on by frustration, a sold out belief that there are no grounds for compromise, and a commitment to hold tight to a cultural religion. It is a religion that has no basis for peace, and one that has ignited itself into a rage extending beyond the banks of government where is not able to be contained.
Though we are given glimpses of the uproar and turmoil to the East, God is the only one who sees the whole picture of fiery emotions, blazing demonstrations, and burning ambition, and only He has the means from above to extinguish the flames of hatred and regional discontent. There are no clear answers, only muddled prayers that only Jesus can interpret, and God can respond to.
These demonstrations are a reminder to each of us that we live in a country that merits respect; of individuals, beliefs, and freedom. We are blessed to be on American soil and to be founded on Godly principles. May we stand tall on truth and beg God for his continued protection, and strength to not only have the wisdom to know what is right and good in His eyes, but also to practice it. Actions, in any arena, are a window where we see strength or weakness, unity or discord, and tolerance or intolerance.
It is my prayer that God will lead us to make choices as a nation that will blend His will, wisdom, strength, and righteousness into our minds and our actions, and that His glory will shine brightly and His grace will flow over America in the midst of national unrest.
Psalm 47:8
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.
These demonstrations are a reminder to each of us that we live in a country that merits respect; of individuals, beliefs, and freedom. We are blessed to be on American soil and to be founded on Godly principles. May we stand tall on truth and beg God for his continued protection, and strength to not only have the wisdom to know what is right and good in His eyes, but also to practice it. Actions, in any arena, are a window where we see strength or weakness, unity or discord, and tolerance or intolerance.
It is my prayer that God will lead us to make choices as a nation that will blend His will, wisdom, strength, and righteousness into our minds and our actions, and that His glory will shine brightly and His grace will flow over America in the midst of national unrest.
Psalm 47:8
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.
Dear Lord, Please hear our prayers, and have mercy on our country. Amen
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