Sometimes You Can't Work It Out

Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. - Philippians 3:2

There was a group of super religious leaders that Paul had major conflict with. Although he tried to work it out with them, it never got anywhere. So he lets his friends in Philippi know that it’s simply NOT useful or helpful or healthy to try to work out conflict with this group. Paul ends up calling them names (ever notice that Paul had quite a temper?) and obviously hasn’t quite gotten to a place of peace in his own emotions regarding the pain he’s suffered at their hands. But the message is clear: you can’t always work it out.

In fact, in another letter (where Paul is in a healthier spot as he reflects on conflict), he puts it this way:

If it is possible, as long as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. - Romans 12:8

So think through some of the conflicts in your life and some of the people it has been hardest to reconcile with. Would it create more harm to you (or them) if you tried to resolve the conflict? Is there a way to live at peace with them, or is that just not possible? Is distance required to create a healthy boundary?

Take some time to pray about these things.

*If you are thinking of cutting off communication with a family member, you may want to pursue professional counsel - those are always the trickiest situations.