📖 Reading 3.1: What Is God Doing Here?
📖 Reading 3.1: What Is God Doing Here?
Topic 3 includes Reading 3.1: What Is God Doing Here? as part of The Lord’s Purpose in Conflict.
A Different First Question
When conflict begins, our first questions are often urgent.
“How do I make this stop?”
“How do I defend myself?”
“How do I get them to understand?”
“How do I prove I am right?”
“How do I avoid losing this relationship?”
“How do I keep control?”
These questions are understandable. Conflict can feel threatening. It can stir fear, shame, anger, sadness, confusion, and self-protection. But the Peacefire invites us to begin with a deeper question:
Lord, what are You doing here?
This question does not mean the conflict is good. It does not mean the other person was right. It does not mean pain should be minimized. It does not mean sin, injustice, abuse, betrayal, or harm should be excused.
It means God is present.
The believer does not face conflict alone. The Lord is not absent from hard conversations, painful misunderstandings, leadership tensions, family disappointments, church disagreements, or moments of correction. He is near. He sees clearly. He knows what is true. He knows what is hidden. He knows what needs to be confronted, confessed, healed, protected, or surrendered.
Romans 8:28–29 teaches that God works in all things for the good of those who love Him, and that His purpose is to conform His people to the image of His Son. The good God is working is not merely comfort, convenience, or quick resolution. His purpose is Christlikeness.
Conflict becomes a place where the Lord forms us.
God’s Purpose Is Bigger Than Winning
In the Wildfire, the goal often becomes winning.
Winning the argument.
Winning approval.
Winning control.
Winning sympathy.
Winning the final word.
Winning the appearance of innocence.
But the Lord’s purpose in conflict is bigger than winning. God is forming people who look more like Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 says that He who began a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. That means God’s work in us continues even when relationships become difficult. Conflict does not pause discipleship. Conflict often reveals where discipleship is most needed.
The Lord may use conflict to expose a desire that has become too powerful. He may reveal fear that has been driving our reactions. He may uncover bitterness we have justified. He may show us a pattern of avoiding truth. He may invite us to speak honestly with love. He may call us to confess without excuse. He may teach us to forgive without denying harm. He may lead us to establish a wise boundary. He may reveal that we have been relying on our own strength instead of abiding in Christ.
Jesus says, “I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, WEB).
Conflict reminds us how true this is.
Apart from Christ, we may react, defend, accuse, withdraw, manipulate, flatter, explode, or despair. In Christ, we can pause, pray, listen, tell the truth, confess, forgive, set boundaries, and take the next faithful step.
Asking Without Blaming God
When we ask, “Lord, what are You doing here?” we must not blame God for evil.
God is holy. He does not tempt people to sin. He does not approve abuse, lies, cruelty, manipulation, betrayal, or injustice. James 1:13 reminds us that God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one.
So this question must be asked carefully.
We are not saying, “God caused this person to sin against me.”
We are not saying, “This harm was good.”
We are not saying, “I should stay unsafe because God is teaching me something.”
We are not saying, “The victim is responsible for the offender’s sin.”
Instead, we are saying:
“Lord, You are present even here.”
“Lord, You can guide me even now.”
“Lord, You can form Christ in me without calling evil good.”
“Lord, You can lead me in truth, wisdom, courage, and love.”
The Peacefire does not deny harm. It brings harm into the presence of God.
What Conflict May Reveal
Conflict often reveals more than the visible disagreement.
It may reveal what we love.
It may reveal what we fear.
It may reveal what we demand.
It may reveal what we are trying to protect.
It may reveal where we feel powerless.
It may reveal where we are proud.
It may reveal where we need healing.
It may reveal where a relationship needs truth.
Psalm 139:23–24 gives us a prayer for this kind of discernment: “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”
This prayer takes courage.
It is much easier to pray, “Lord, show them they are wrong.” Sometimes the other person is wrong. Sometimes they have sinned. Sometimes confrontation is necessary. But the Peacefire also teaches us to pray, “Lord, search me.”
Search my motives.
Search my assumptions.
Search my words.
Search my silence.
Search my desire to win.
Search my fear of being exposed.
Search my unwillingness to listen.
Search my bitterness.
Search my self-protection.
This is not self-condemnation. It is openness to God’s transforming grace.
Purpose Before Strategy
Many people want conflict strategies immediately.
“What should I say?”
“Should I send the text?”
“Should I confront?”
“Should I apologize?”
“Should I walk away?”
“Should I involve someone else?”
These are important questions. But the Peacefire teaches us to seek purpose before strategy.
Before asking, “What should I do?” ask, “Who is God calling me to become in this moment?”
A strategy without surrender can become Strangefire. We may use the right words with the wrong spirit. We may use biblical language to control. We may confront without love. We may apologize to manage someone’s reaction. We may set a boundary in revenge instead of wisdom. We may quote Scripture while refusing to listen.
Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure” (WEB).
God is working not only in what we do, but in what we desire. He forms the will before He sends the action. He reshapes the heart before He guides the mouth.
God’s Purpose May Include Correction
Sometimes conflict includes correction.
Correction can be painful. It may feel embarrassing, threatening, or unfair. Sometimes correction is delivered poorly. Sometimes it is incomplete. Sometimes it is mixed with someone else’s frustration or misunderstanding.
Even then, a wise believer asks, “Lord, is there anything here I need to receive?”
Hebrews 12:10–11 teaches that God disciplines His children for their good, so that they may share His holiness. It also says that discipline feels painful rather than pleasant at the moment, but later yields peaceful fruit to those trained by it.
This does not mean every criticism is true. It does not mean every authority figure is right. It does not mean harshness is holy. It does not mean manipulation should be accepted as correction.
But it does mean correction can become a path of life when we receive what is true before God.
A teachable heart can say:
“I do not need to own what is false.”
“I do need to receive what is true.”
“I can ask for clarification.”
“I can seek wise counsel.”
“I can confess my part.”
“I can grow through this.”
Thanksgiving Reorients the Soul
First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you” (WEB).
This does not mean thanking God for sin as though sin is good. It does not mean thanking God for abuse, betrayal, cruelty, or injustice. Scripture gives us lament because God welcomes honest grief.
But thanksgiving in conflict reminds us that God is still God.
We can thank Him that He is present.
We can thank Him that He sees clearly.
We can thank Him that He gives wisdom.
We can thank Him that He can form Christ in us.
We can thank Him that evil does not have the final word.
We can thank Him that His grace is sufficient for the next faithful step.
Thanksgiving pulls our attention away from the totalizing power of the conflict and back toward the Lord.
The conflict is real.
But it is not ultimate.
God is ultimate.
A Practice for Asking the Question
When conflict begins or continues, pause and pray through these questions:
Lord, what is happening here that I need to see clearly?
Lord, what is happening in me that I need to bring before You?
Lord, is there correction I need to receive?
Lord, is there truth I need to speak with love?
Lord, is there sin I need to confess without excuse?
Lord, is there harm that requires protection, help, or a boundary?
Lord, what is my next faithful step?
These questions do not guarantee an easy outcome. They do something better. They help us remain with Christ in the conflict.
Reflection Questions
What is your usual first question when conflict begins?
How does asking “Lord, what are You doing here?” change your posture?
What might God be revealing in your heart through a current or recent conflict?
Is there any correction you need to test, receive, or seek counsel about?
What is one next faithful step that reflects trust in Christ rather than reaction from the flesh?
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You are present in the middle of conflict. Help me not to begin only with fear, anger, control, or self-defense. Teach me to ask what You are doing here. Search my heart. Show me what is true. Give me courage to receive correction, confess sin, speak truth, set wise boundaries, and pursue peace as far as it depends on me. Keep me from calling evil good, but also keep me from missing Your transforming work. Form me more deeply into Your likeness. Amen.
References
Academic and Ministry References
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community. Translated by John W. Doberstein. New York, NY: HarperOne, 1978.
Sande, Ken. The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2004.
Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It’s Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature. Updated ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017.
Willard, Dallas. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2002.
Worthington, Everett L., Jr. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Theory and Application. New York, NY: Routledge, 2006.
Scripture References Used
Romans 8:28–29
Philippians 1:6
John 15:5
James 1:13
Psalm 139:23–24
Philippians 2:13
Hebrews 12:10–11
1 Thessalonians 5:18