This is your child, you handle it...

You might think that being Christian, following Christ, who is the very essence of love, those who believe would be happy and agree in all things. Not so Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement over who their missionary companion should be. “And the contention was so sharp between them that they departed asunder one from the other.” 9Acts 15:39)

They didn’t leave the church or denounce Christ they simply agreed to disagree and went their separate ways. We have different personalities and different ways of doing things.  I once was in a public place waiting, maybe it was a doctor’s office or something, and two women of a faith different than mine were complaining about another individual in the same church with them. I had to smile because it could have just as easily have been individuals from my church.

In my younger day I have had a sharp tongue and contended at times with other believers, but not as often now. I try to take the attitude that we are in this together, and we are all children of God.  So I say, “Look Lord, this is what’s happening. This is your child so you handle it, and soften my heart that I might comply according to thy will.”   It works for me.