Who are you fighting?

Let's be honest: fighting with your parents and siblings probably isn't a foreign affair. In fact, if you're anything like me, sometimes the battles (no matter how small) tend to occur on a regular basis. And try as you might, you just don't hold your tongue like you know you should. Nor do you practice patience, extend grace, or forgive freely. In reality, even the most insignificant little tiff can create a real bump in the road, that turns into a thorn in your side, and a grudge against the other person.

All too often I find myself brewing for hours after even a minor clash. I dread the next interaction and hope that things will just naturally resolve so that I don't have to humble myself and admit my wrongs. However, as I've been processing some personal disagreements in my own recent history, God has brought to mind a couple of key truths. So, I thought I'd share them with you.

First, it's my responsibility to show kindness, mercy, and-yes, even this-forgiveness to those that I perceive as being wrong.

Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Secondly, I need to remember who I'm fighting. My dad, mom, sister, best friend, co-worker, teacher, etc, is NOT the enemy. Satan is the enemy. And he wants to use those closest to us in even the smallest way to get a foot-hold in our lives.

Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

I've got to remember these truths as I seek to follow Christ and be a better me. Forgiveness has got to be a priority, even in my deepest hurts and most intense irritations. And I've got to remember that my loved ones are NOT the enemy. Remembering that truth and letting it saturate in my heart helps me extend grace and offer forgiveness.

How about you? Who are you fighting? Are you making forgiveness an active part of your life and relationships?

"Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Ephesians 6:10-11

Strap on your armor, sister, and fight hard--but don't knock-out your teammates in the process.