Morning Devotion ECWA Food for the Day for Wednesday

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022

TEXT: Philippians 4:1-7

1. So then, my friends, how dear you are to me and how I miss you! How happy you make me, and how proud I am of you!- this, dear friends, is how you should stand firm in your life in the Lord.

2. Euodia and Syntyche, please, I beg you, try to agree as sisters in the Lord.

3. and you too, my faithful partner, I want you to help these women; for they have worked hard with me to spread the gospel, together with Clement and all my other fellow workers, whose names are in God’s book of the living.

4. May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!

5. Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon.

6. Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.

7. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

(Good News Translation Holy Bible)

TOPIC: EUODIA AND SYNTYCHE

Human beings must experience conflict and our approach to managing it could lead to improved relationships or crises.

Paul provides some insights into dealing with conflict and how to avoid crisis. Crisis is the result of stress from the conflict and if unchecked can lead the person down the path of physical exhaustion and eventual emotional breakdown. Euodia and Syntyche were Paul’s fellow ministry companions who labored with them in serving the church.

Unfortunately, conflict set in, the nature of which is not explained. Paul did two things: first, he delegated his “true companion” to help these ladies resolve their differences by being “of the same mind in the Lord.”

In other words, if they focus on the Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of gentleness and an open mind to present their requests to Him, whatever differences they have would be resolved.

This follows Paul’s earlier counsel to let the mind of Christ be in them. Once our conflicts are resolved, our minds shall be flooded by the peace of God.

QUESTION: Are there unresolved conflicts in your relationships that need immediate attention?

PRAYER: Ask God to help you by specially mentioning the issues involved. If He opens your eyes and directs you for help, don’t hesitate, Amen.