Divisiveness in Our Families
By Chaplain Doug Samples
Over the past few years,
we have had a growing divisiveness in our country.
I can’t think of a time in my lifetime
when there was more discord and disunity than there is today.
It seems like there are forces at work in our culture
that celebrate division over harmony.
How many divisions can you name?
- Republicans vs. Democrats
- Haves vs. Have nots
- Blacks vs. Whites
- Gay vs. Straight
- Fox vs. CNN
- Yankees vs. Red Sox
- In N Out vs. Whataburger
- OU vs. OSU
- Mask vs. No Mask
- Science vs. Religion
- Star Wars vs. Star Trek
We have always had our differences,
but it seems to have become the default move
to now immediately emphasize our differences
to the point of exaggerating our differences!
I say light… You say dark.
I say stop… You say go.
There is no middle ground anymore.
If you are in the middle…
You just get shot at from both sides!!!
It’s one thing to have this divisiveness in our country,
but there is a growing fear that this discord and animosity
is going to weasel its way into our families
and create division within the family!
When we are trying to have a conversation with someone
and the conversation begins to head for the extremes…
You know the drill don’t you?
He takes a shot at you
You lob a grenade back at you
He throws a bomb at you
You call for the football and nuke the daylights out of him!
OR… if we want to be more subtle… “You’re dead to me!”
This. Is. Not. Good!!!!!
This brings divisiveness to our country…
… And to our families!
In a culture of division… discord… disagreement… disunity… dissention…
the Bible invites us to be peacemakers!
Blessed are the peacemakers! (Matthew 5:9)
At some point in time, the peacemaker in any conversation
has to choose to stop lobbing grenades and throwing bombs.
The peacemaker understands…
I can’t change the whole world,
But maybe change OUR world!
The peacemaker understands…
You are not going to change my opinion and
I am not going to change your opinion.
You act in ways that make sense to you and
I act in ways that make sense to me.
So, stop arguing & keep talking
Stop arguing & accept your differences
Stop arguing & give each other the benefit of the doubt!
Stop arguing & look for common ground.
Stop arguing & hug it out
Blessed are the peacemakers
for they will be called the children of God!
If I can pray for you and your family, use this link and let me know how best to pray for you.
