Conflict Is Everywhere | AllWorship.com

Have you ever wondered why there is so much conflict in the world? It is virtually everywhere you look, so much so that seeing genuine love exhibited is rare. In fact, if you respond to someone in genuine love without motive or agenda, they suspect you are up to something … because this has become the standard rather than the exception.

We recently had a conversation with a young woman in a restaurant about life goals and, in the conversation, offered to have a more in-depth conversation to help her sort out some things in her life. After a few minutes, she took a step back and asked a very appropriate but untypical question. She said, “Why would you do this for me?”

In her life, she had not experienced someone responding to her in a genuinely trustworthy and loving manner. We explained the “why,” and she was all right. What stood out to me was that so few people receive kindness, help without “strings attached”, or anything remotely approaching genuine love that most do not know what to do with it when they receive it.

And why is this? Have you ever wondered? I submit this thought:

The reason is fear. Most hostile, aggressive, inappropriate, or deceptive behaviors have a root in fear. It is the most pervasive negative emotion we encounter. Narcissism, a very common personality issue today, is rooted in fear. Aggression is almost always rooted in fear. So is dishonesty.

Most relationship issues occur because of fear. It can be fear of being hurt, of being in need, of being deceived or betrayed, of being abandoned, and many more. When approached in these ways, we feel we have to protect ourselves, keep our options open, not be cornered or be put in a vulnerable position, and so on. Selfishness, greed, control, abuse, and other things may be there too, but fear is often the ultimate root of all.

And sometimes, this conditioned response and mindset of fear spills over into our relationship with God. With Him, there should be no fear. Never. Ever. For any reason. But nevertheless, it is often there. Examine yourself honestly and see if you do not find it somewhere.

In Christ, we come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this because of our faith in Christ. (Eph 3:12 ERV)

Like the young woman we encountered, we wonder deep inside, “Why would you do this for me?” And we doubt Him. We question if He will really do what He promised. In our lives, we seldom know truly dependable and trustworthy people who do and say what they mean or speak truthfully and honestly.

We read where Jesus sacrificed His life for us, in our place, and took the death penalty that was meant for us: The ultimate act of love. Yet, some fear they have done so much “bad stuff” that He will not forgive them. Others fear that if they make one “mistake“, God is waiting to punish them or that they are going to hell all over again. (I assure you that these are real thoughts in the fear-tormented minds of people.)

Trusting requires risk. It will always be so in this life. In this life, to trust someone is to risk that they may fail you, hurt you, or reject you. This is the way it is because we live in a fallen world devoid of love in some instances, while in others, the sparks of love and trust that may have existed have all but been quenched by the former.

With God, however, we can face that “risk” with confidence–because it is no risk with Him. It appears to be from our perspective. He knows this. However difficult because of our conditioning by fear–and it will be difficult–we must let faith override fear and trust Him.

What do you think about that? Be honest with yourself and with God. Then, tell Him what you think … just as honestly as you think it. Will you take that risk right now?