Daily Delight

"What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” -James 4:1-2 (NLT)

Years ago, I ran the "mom taxi" for my two middle school sons and their friends. Rarely did we taxi about town sans an argument. “I call shotgun!” “You cheated!” “Stop looking at me.” “You’re a ____.” “I hate you!” “I’m tellin’…”

I scolded, gave consequences, and quoted Scripture. To no avail, I demanded teen boys speak only edifying words to one another. Heartbroken over these word-brawls, we purchased an SUV with three-row seating. Problem solved. I claimed the front row with each son one behind the other. No more carpool unification strategies. I simply chose to divide to keep the peace and protect my sanity.

Afraid of being awarded ‘worst mother’ designation, I was tempted to scrap this post and pick another topic. And then the Holy Spirit reminded me of this truth. My sons aren’t the first, nor are they the last, siblings to treat each other with such selfish and jealous contempt. My brother and I were no better, and we can trace sibling rivalry through the generations all the way back to Cain and Abel.

The truth is that such behavior is the natural condition of our flesh. Unfortunately, all of God’s children—myself included—at all ages and stages of life are capable of similar unhealthy, unproductive, and simply sinful behaviors. And it breaks the Father’s heart.
Is the Father’s solution separation? No, the plan to divide and conquer is the plot of the evil one. Instead, our Father calls for humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance, all wrapped in love. To seek to live peaceably with all and in unity with His Spirit in love is to bless our Father’s heart and bear much fruit (Romans 12:18; Colossians 2:2; Ephesians 4:2-3, NIV).

{photo: @briannabroyles}

About the Author

Lisa Brittain

SATURDAY WRITER

Lisa Brittain and her husband, Randy, will soon be married 30 years. Together they are parents of two adult sons and share their home with three adopted pups. By day Lisa works as a receptionist at the local middle school. However, her mission is to reveal the important voice of each woman and teach her how to share her overcoming God stories

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It is Lisa’s true passion for Jesus and introducing women to Him, which flows in and through and around all the open moments of her everyday life. Connect with Lisa on her blog here.