Do you find yourself frequently caught up in conflict with others? Does it seem like everyone has it out for you? Have you scratched your head and tried to figure out why?

Normally what we do in situations like this is ALWAYS BLAME the other person. Seldom do we stop and consider that something might be going on in our own life that may be causing the numerous conflicts.

Let me use myself as an example. Because I’m a rather large person and don’t smile much, I tend to put people off especially when they first meet me. In other words, I don’t leave a good FIRST IMPRESSION. This has caused me untold heartache over the years. I would usually get very angry and feel rejected because people weren’t loving me. Sometimes, I could swear that even the young children would run off screaming into the night whenever I would show up.

For years, my first impulse was to HURT THEM BACK. If you were going to reject me then I would reject you back. The problem with this methodology is that it doesn’t solve the dilemma. It usually only makes things worse.

It took God a long time to get through to me that my facial expressions and mannerisms were the real problem and, so, every day I must make a concentrated effort to change these things. And, I’m happy to report that I’ve seen some changes. Liz and I sit by the exit door and when the children are dismissed, a few of them will come over and hug me for no apparent reason! Now, isn’t that amazing? I always thought I didn’t like children but I must confess that I kind of like those hugs.

Pray about what’s going on in your life. Don’t beat yourself up but go before the Lord honestly and ask Him to put a Spiritual mirror up in front of your face so you can see yourself the way others see you. Ask Him to heal you from past hurts and rejections that may be effecting your personality now. Remember, I love you and God loves you!

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