TRIPLE “C”. (Change, Conflict, Contentment) 3/29/08
Pressurizing since last fall, a series of events have messed with me.
Like a spiral ~ upward or downward, it’s hard to tell ~ these things move me.
The more I try to maintain a straight course, (the steady Eddy life)
the more the whirlwinds make havoc.
Today I can honestly say, I’m buffeted by whirlwinds.
I can also say, I’m beginning to like it. :^)
It is a season of whirlwinds; a season of change.
The winds of change; bring whirlwinds of conflict, both inner and outer conflict. This ceaseless activity of movement, these developments that challenge our very core, can bring bitterness and stagnation or tremendous growth and bewildering contentment.
Change, Conflict, Contentment.
The middle one is not easily accepted ~ Conflict.
It is a given, that any time change becomes a reality; conflict is the result.
Somewhere, with someone, somehow, sometime; conflict results from change.
Change and conflict seem almost married, such strong partners are they.
Change and conflict, change and conflict,
Pick up one and the other gives a boot lick ~
You can’t have one without the other…. (to the tune of Love and Marriage)
For our “unchangeable” God to use change to initiate, motivation
and captivate His bride is a quandary, His mystery.
For the Prince of Peace to use conflict to stimulate growth in us is a Master puzzle.
But the more I observe this present shift, this universal shaking; personal, regional and international; the more I have to believe He has authorized it.
Actually, I believe He is priming us to get used to change and to conflict. :&)
He is asking us, “Are you strong enough to operate, like My own, in the midst of it?”
Can I rejoice when a friend is dismayed,
or do I wear the troubles of the world on my shoulders?
Can I dance when a family member dies,
or do I limit all forms of rejoicing?
Can I see when conflict blindfolds me,
or do I stand motionless (shell-shocked) until conflict retreats?
Shell-shock is being totally quiet, totally non-resistant, totally agreeable
and totally not taking any stand of any kind. Ostrich with her head in the sand approach.
Shell-shock is hyper-flex often leading to compromise.
Not forward moving but frozen in time.
We basically dodge the issue until it is safely a non-issue.
These fine days, God is priming us to be immersed in change and triumphant in conflict.
The shell-shock approach does not work in this supernatural season!
Collision ~ is another word for conflict.
We collide with change. If we don’t collide, it is not really a change.
Trained warriors do not wither as the battle grows hot, but expand! Roar!
Cowboys do not faint at the buck’n bronco ~ they leap astride! Strut!
Surfers do not cry in fear at the big waves, but rush to meet them! Sail!
Seasoned saints do not tremble at change, conflict or opposition
but rise up, rejoicing for the opportunity to demonstrate and conquer.
We need to learn we will not die in the conflict, but grow.
We will not die in conflict, but grow!
Growth is always a result of squarely, spiritually, facing conflict.
It’s a given.
Change and conflict, handled God’s way, results in tremendous growth. It is good.
When we understand this way of God (teach me Your ways)..
When we experience the “goodness” of change and conflict,
We enter the 3rd “C” ~ Contentment.
“God’s Triple C” ~ Change leads to Conflict leads to Contentment. Count it all joy!
“Triple C” folks find that strange and uncomfortable situations, or impossibly hurtful relationships,
become opportunities to be amazed! (signs, wonders, miracles!) Dismay is not in their vocabulary!
Change to Conflict to Contentment.
It is this Triple C effect that Paul write to the Philippians, (4:11)
I have learned in whatsoever state I am in, to be content.
Paul tells Timothy, Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim 6:6)
And Hebrews; let your conversation be without covetousness and
be content with such things as you have ~
for He said “ I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Glowing peace and Exceedingly abundant JOY! Content in HIS LOVE!
When we are introduced to change,
When we handle the ensuing conflict with grace,
We receive an other-worldly contentment. It contains all His yes and amen promises.
“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Its as if… our acceptance of change, our godly collision with it, brings His attention our way.
His face turns toward us, His smile sends additional and, often unexpected, blessings to us.
Do we dare to believe in Him during times of change? When we wrestle in conflict?
Gen. 41:40 The story of Joseph.
Change #1. Tradition shock.
Joseph could be a favorite child, but the coat of many colors was a telling gift of rank ~ proclaiming that Jacob would skip the 11 older boys and make Joseph the head of the tribe.
This was a huge, unacceptable change in tradition, which centered on rights of the first born son.
“When.. his brothers.. saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they
hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.” (Gen 37:4)
Result # 1. Conflict ~ with his siblings.
Change # 2. Culture shock.
He taunts his siblings with his dream revelation of destiny. They hate him all the more. He doesn’t take the hint and tells more dream revelations, which include his parents coming under his authority. This cultural detour is not the best route for conflict management.
Result #2. Conflict ~ provoking death wish.
(Death wishes by those closest to us can often be the result when you choose to enjoy change.)
In this case, death is avoided by abandoning Joseph to slave traders.
Change # 3. From favored son to lowly servant.
Joseph has to make a slight adjustment in attitude; from favorite to slavorite.
The Bible gives us little information about how Joseph processed this change, but it must have rapid for Joseph immediately chooses to submit and do his best to honor God in his situation.
Result #3. Joseph embraces change and endures conflict.
Change #4. Resisting authority.
Joseph’s best pleases his new master immensely. Unfortunately, he pleases his mistress too much, and must refuse her.
Result #4. The conflict lands Joseph in prison, where he faces change all over again.
Change #5. In authority over prisoners.
Joseph endeavors to use his giftings in every situation. His diligence lands him an overseerer’s job even as he is serving his own sentence. He ends up serving the King’s baker butler, whose dreams Joseph accurately interprets. Still faithful to use his gifts, Joseph remains forgotten for 2 more years.
Result #5. The conflicts have taught Joseph contentment. He is fully able to serve God in prison or out of prison. He has morphed from change, to conflict, to contentment. He is maturing.
Change # 6. Joseph is finally brought to Pharaoh’s court. Able to use his refined-by-fire gifts to
save the nation from famine, Joseph is brought into the fullness of his destiny.
Result #6. “You will be over my house, and according to your word shall all my people be ruled;
only in the throne will I be greater than you.” (Gen. 41:40)
Joseph received multiple blessings as a result processing change, conflict and contentment correctly. (Gen 41:42-45)
The royal signet ring ~ more than ornamental. Pharaoh took the ring off his own hand and gave it to Joseph. The signet seal carried great political power. The seal was used as a signature of the King, symbolizing that the ultimate authority was now transferred from Pharaoh to Joseph.
Just like us ~
The ring bore legal authority, just like our seal of the Holy Spirit bears legal authority. (Eph 4:30)
New Clothing ~ “arrayed in fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck” Rings were originally worn on a chain around the neck, but later were placed on the fingers for security.
Just like us ~
All our garments are as filthy rags, but He gives us clean and rich garments. (Zech 3:4)
The 2nd Chariot ~ Only Pharaoh rode in the first chariot. Joseph’s chariot was an outward sign
to all the people that he was second in command over the entire kingdom. “they cried before him;
“Bow the knee; and Pharaoh made Joseph ruler over all the
(remember the sheaves of grain that bowed to Joseph in his dream)
Just like us ~
God gives us all authority over heaven and earth, with all creation under us.
Tell them all these things. Urge, advise, encourage, warn and rebuke with full authority. Let no one despise or disregard or think little of you. Conduct yourself and your teaching so as to command respect. (Titus 2:15)
Then Jesus ..gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1)
Let us make mankind in our own image…let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beast and over all the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. (Gen 1:26)
A New Name ~ Zaphnatah-paaneah (zaf’ e nath pa ne a) meaning; the one who furnishes the sustenance of the land. Literal Egyptian translation: the savior of the world.
Just like us ~
He will give us a new name (Rev 2:17, 3:12)
An Egyptian Wife ~ Asenath the daughter of the priest of On. (the sun god, the god of light)
Extremely powerful family from an extremely influential city; a center of communication and trade.
2 sons ~ Manasseh “causing to forget” ~ Joseph said “He has made me forget all my toil, and all sorrowful remembrance of my slavery in
Just like us ~ extreme contentment, trust and JOY!
I will remove your transgressions as far as the east is from the west. (Ps 103:12)
…one thing I do, it is my aspiration ~ forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. (Phil 3:13)
Ephraim “doubly fruitful or fruit that grows” ~
Just like us ~
And God blessed them saying, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.
Use all the vast resources in the service of God and man and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves upon the earth. (Gen 1:28)
I will make you exceedingly fruitful and I will make nations of you… (Gen 17:6)
.. bear fruit in every good work and steadily grow and increase in the knowledge of God.
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It is a season of whirlwinds; a season of change.
The winds of change; bring whirlwinds of conflict, both inner and outer conflict. This ceaseless activity of movement, these developments that challenge our very core, can bring bitterness and stagnation or tremendous growth and bewildering contentment.
Change, Conflict, Contentment.
Word for tonight ~ be content with such things as you have ~
for He said “ I will never leave you or forsake you.” EN-JOY THIS!
“Rosy” Webster- like a rose, especially in color.
Thesaurus- blushing, blooming, bright, optimistic, promising, hopeful.
“Rose” Webster – various plants with thorns and especially fragrant flower.
Under the rose ~ secretly. A bed of roses ~ luxury.
Looking thru rose colored glasses ~ optimistic.
A favorite flower of the Bride. From slavorite to favorite.
Enjoy change, conflict and contentment. Unshakable and durable power and bliss.
