December 16, 2010 - Acts 16:5

“So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” Acts 16:5.
The early church emerges strengthened after two crucial events that could have left them splintered. First was the council meeting in Jerusalem where it was decided to include Gentiles in the fellowship of followers of Jesus. Next, there was the clash of two of the early church’s stars, Paul and Barnabas. Either one of these crises could have split the church, yet they stayed as one. Through the crucible of conflict they emerged “strengthened in the faith” and they experienced a period of numerical growth.
Being strengthened and growth does not happen without pain of some kind. My body becomes stronger as I work out, and I need to go through discomfort and pain to achieve new strength. Growth in my life doesn’t naturally happen. I must go through struggles and conflict, whether personal or corporate, in order to grow. I can remember trying to avoid conflict, not knowing at the time that I was actually avoiding growth and strengthening. Once I realized that I need not run from conflict, I matured to a new place. The same happens within our communities. The easy way out is to split up, yet that is not what the church did when Paul and Barnabas went their own way. The easy way out for us is to avoid conflict at all cost, and the cost would be our strengthening and growth.
Questions to consider: How have you been strengthened or grown through conflict? Have you been like me, avoiding conflict, and need to learn how to go through helpful conflict?
Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching me to face conflict and, in so doing, strengthening me and helping me to grow. Amen.