Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Bible in a Year Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 26-31 | 1 Timothy 3

Conflict caused by the actions of others can reveal attitudes, insecurities, desires, or unfinished areas in our own hearts. People who frustrate us become part of God's curriculum for our growth, and conflict can expose what God wants to refine. You can’t change the past, but you can decide what happens next.

James 4:1-2
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. 

My husband has a shirt that reads, “I’m not arguing with you.… I’m just explaining why I’m right!” Just as iron sharpens iron, my husband and I sharpen each other. That’s how I know when things get hard, WE are worth fighting FOR.  

Conflict happens when something important in me collides with something important in you. That can cover a lot of situations, especially sharing space! For instance, do you like a tidy home? Shared responsibilities with the children? Who pays the bills? 

Then there’s the office. Who sorts the mail, puts away inventory, answers the phone, monitors the copier? What is the protocol for conflict resolution? Is there a tattletale, a bully, a slob, someone who sloughs duties onto underlings?

What’s the point of all this conflict? 

Conversations can be awkward, hard, and hurtful, but they can also show what needs to change in you, in others, or in the processes. Talking can reveal what couldn’t be seen before and bring people to a mutual understanding. Questions like, “What’s happening in them that bothers me so much?” or “What’s happening in me that makes me feel the need to win?” can be eye-opening. Then ask God to reveal what he is trying to settle or even change in you. 

We are more like Jesus when we choose to work with each other instead of at each other. When faced with a conflict, remember the history between you, their character, and your calling. Conflict can reveal, refine, and repair our relationships if handled properly. 

The bottom line: fight FOR what matters instead of fighting WITH the one who matters.

Questions: 
Do you confront or stuff emotions that arise out of conflict? 

Do you want to be right, or do you want a relationship? 

Next Steps: 
Read and meditate on John 21:1-14. 

Prayerfully ask God to teach you to be more like Jesus. 

Prayer: 
Lord, you gave all so that I could have life, and have it abundantly. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with the conflict that arises as I bump into the people you have called me to show your love to. Help me, Father. I want to love like Jesus in all that I say, do, or think, but I am a sinner, and it’s hard. Forgive me for my failings, and strengthen my resolve to do better. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.  

Series Theme Verse:

Ephesians 4:15
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 

Written by Julie Estep, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.