Doing Gentleness when Disturbed helps us Disagree in a more Godly way.

Doing Gentleness when Disturbed helps us Disagree in a more Godly way.

According to Wikipedia, Euodia (Greek Εὐοδία, meaning unclear, but possibly "sweet fragrance"^[1][2] or "prosperous journey"^[3]) and Syntyche (Συντυχη, "fortunate," literally "with fate") are people mentioned in the New Testament. They were female members of the church in Philippi, and according to the text of Philippians 4: 2-3, they were involved in a disagreement together. 

I really love Philippians. Chapter 4 often speaks to me.  I love how God instructs us.  I see here that He wants those involved in disagreement to do a few specific things. I call it "doing gentleness" when feeling "ungentle" or fully disturbed!  Friends and family disagree from time to time. He tells us how to do this, His way.

I see that when involved in disagreement with another believer, God makes His heart clear. Simply put, stay in the LORD. What we can do:
1) beloved, standfast in the LORD
2) be of the same mind in the LORD
3) help them
4) rejoice in the LORD always 
5) let your gentleness be known to all men - the LORD is at hand
6) be anxious for nothing
7)but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
What God does: and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Where do we put our thoughts, our meditation?  Philippians 4:8. Memorizing this verse and doing it continues to be a key part of my life. So, we are to mediate here:
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."

I love this section of scripture. Philippians is so "how to" and what "not to do." I also notice the Bible does NOT tell us to:
1) argue
2) take offense - give offense
3) accuse
4) self defend
5) be unforgiving
6) nurture a root of bitterness
7) feel condemnation or to do self-condemnation

What I see is that IN THE LORD, gentleness corrects, dissolves and moves us to prayer, asking for God's help, intervention, interruption and intercession. Gentleness is comprised of alot of grace if you ask me!  Little things can become mountains, unless we "SHOUT, Grace, Grace to them," which is my paraphrasing of Zechariah 4:6-7 "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, Says the LORD of hosts.  Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"

So the keys to squelch disagreement for me begin with standing fast IN THE LORD. To let Him keep things in perspective for us. He loves us all the same. We all fall short. We all have feelings. Being right or wrong is not the issue. Remaining IN THE LORD seems the over powering issue. We move outside the LORD when we move into sin. Giving and taking offense is sin. Being unforgiving is sin. Nurturing a root of bitterness is sin. Holding grudges or continuing to meditate upon or nurture hurts from the past is sin. Accusing others is sin, as Satan is always our accuser. Grace dissolves it all. Shouting grace to a mounting argument dissolves it, reducing it to a flat plain. Jesus is our capstone. Grace is the gentle power awaiting each wounded heart. Oh great is our God? 

We can only navigate arguments through our own personal relationship with God. The coolest thing is, that His heart equally loves and covers both disputing believers. His reward, it seems to me, is His presence. He is our peace. Philippians 4:9 "The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."  The God of peace will be with you.

Finally, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.

 God help us do Your word, Your way. Amen.

Thank You, God of all Grace, that Your gentleness is power. That Your gentleness corrects and redirects us. Thank You God for forgiveness. We praise and lift Your name above all the earth.
In the name of Jesus, I pray believer disagreements might be solved and dissolved by Your grace. 
Thank You God for Your presence and protection through trials. Help us be quick to forgive and humbled to receive forgiveness. We pray peace to Israel in this world of wars. In the matchless name of Jesus. Amen.