The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren

Author:Rick Warren
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Religion, Christmas, General
ISBN: 9781471108440
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2012-12-11T15:15:37+00:00

❖ "I'd like to see the end of political bickering on TV."

❖ "I need peace in my mind and my heart." "A peaceful neighborhood. End prejudice against Muslims."

❖ "If people were more peaceful, maybe they wouldn't be so rude."

❖ "Honestly, if we don't find peace soon, my marriage will be over."

❖ "I want my mom and daddy to get back together."

❖ "I'd like to see peace everywhere."

Is peace on earth really possible, or is it an unattain-able fantasy? Is civility—"good will toward men"— possible when current culture conditions us to be cynical and sarcastic, to use put-downs and name-calling, to demean and demonize those who believe differently?

The starting point to peace in your life is understanding the causes of conflict. There are many reasons, but here are two big ones. The first is our natural self-centeredness. When I want everything my way, and you want it your way, then my agenda clashes with yours. If neither of us is willing to compromise out of love, sparks fly. This scenario plays out millions of times a day in relationships.

Even when you love someone, it doesn't mean you're going to agree on everything. Kay and I learned that on our honeymoon! So the very first Bible verse we memorized together as newlyweds was Proverbs 13:10: "Only by pride cometh contention.” We needed that verse a lot!

A second common, but less understood, cause of conflict is expecting others to meet needs in our lives that only God can meet. We make demands of others instead of looking to God. So many people get married with unrealistic expectations and then divorce. No human being can fully meet all your needs. That's a job for God.

Instead of complaining and blaming others for your unmet needs, the Bible recommends asking God instead. It says, " What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.” If you prayed as much as you complain and quarrel, you'd have a lot less to argue about and much more peace of mind.

Years ago a friend invited me to attend a stress-management seminar with him. One of the suggestions the instructor gave for stress relief was "Unload your stress by telling it to an unconditional listener." Then he quickly added, "The best way to do this is to talk to your pet!" I sat there amazed that people were actually paying to hear someone suggest that they should have a heart-to-heart with their hamster! Pets are great, but they can't help you resolve the conflicts in your life that are the roots of your stress.

The apostle Paul had a much better alternative: "Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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