2 Corinthians 1:12 – 2:4
 
Pastor Shannon began by reflecting on the sad reality that conflict occurs even between sincere and godly believers. Paul knew this. Because he changed his travel plans, believers in Corinth accused him of uncaring vacillation. Shannon drew three wise principles for navigating conflict from this week’s portion of Paul’s letter. Let’s pray through these principles so that we can resolve conflict, current or future, in a way that honors God.
 
Bring clarity.  Conflict often arises from misunderstanding. Shannon noted that we think we understand each other, but we really don’t. Ask the Lord to help you calmly explain the facts from your point of view, as Paul did. Also ask Him for the humility and openness required to listen – truly listen – to the other person’s explanation. 
 
Direct the focus to God.  In verses 19-22, Paul turns his readers’ attention to what God had done in Jesus Christ for them and for Paul himself. Recalling God’s work lifts everyone’s eyes from the immediate petty issue to what is most important and also reminds everyone of their unity in Christ. Ask the Lord to focus your own heart on God’s presence and work and then help you express the “God angle” in a sincere, not a supercilious, manner. 
 
Cultivate a desire to truly help.  Paul loved the Corinthians; his desire was to help them, not hurt them. He wanted to work with them, not against them, for their joy. Shannon noted that when we’re involved in a conflict, our greatest desire is often to be proven right, not to be helpful. Ask the Lord to purify your goals as you navigate conflict. Ask Him to rid you of the notion of “sides” – my side, their side – and treat everyone involved as part of the family of God, with the love of Christ.
 
Calvary Family
 
Retired missionary Rose Palfenier emailed me last week to tell me about a car accident she had recently. Thankfully, no one was injured, although the car was totaled. Rose wrote, “It was a stupid accident but the Lord allowed it, I believe, to tell me my driving days are over.” Bob Palfenier gave up driving two years ago. Pray for the Palfeniers as they adjust to living without a car, depending on family, friends, and Uber for transportation. I am thanking God for the example of Rose’s positive attitude. She wrote, “Of course without a car we save on gasoline, car repairs, inspection, registration, and insurance. I guess we are all getting older and have to live with our limitations, but the Lord is really taking good care of us.”
 
Please pray for Brian, family friend of Kathy Pecoraro, as he undergoes prostate surgery on Wednesday. 
 
I am the CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocate – for an 11-year-old girl in foster care. I will be in court on Thursday for a six-month review of her case. It is a good reminder to pray for the judges who serve in child dependency courtrooms. Judges face a difficult task: making important decisions about a child’s life in a very impersonal setting. Judges rarely meet the child. The child’s attorney is usually the only person in the courtroom who has had any personal contact with the child, and that contact is limited. Even the child’s name is not spoken much in the courtroom; phrases like “the child” or “the minor” are used instead. Join me in praying for the five judges who serve full-time in child dependency court, asking God to fill them with His wisdom and compassion. If you would like to pray for them by name, click here.
 
Make this a week to intercede for our nation. Yesterday, we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Pray for truly color-blind justice and for racial harmony. Tomorrow, we mark the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the legalization of abortion. On behalf of the nation, repent of this great wrong and pray for heart change in more and more of our fellow citizens.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea