Conflict Surrounding Death and Distress

Failed or failing health of a respected patriarch or matriarch seldom arrives without accompanying discord and distrust in the ranks. It seems that greed, ambition and self-protection flow like magma searching for a fissure. Opportunities for personal promotion (whether or not it happens) seem unavoidably attached to pain, suffering and grief.

Without the emotional distress, our cultural conventions continue predictably. With separation and loss the rules and structure that have been predictable (even if not always comfortable) are suddenly renegotiated.

Siblings, whether in families or corporate management circle for position like gunfighters of the Old West. People appear to be posturing for advantage even if they are not actually doing so. Conflict is so predictable that the Hospice Foundation addresses it in their online article: "When Families Disagree: Family Conflict and Decisions" Samira K. Beckwith

The Epistles of James and Peter were written during dangerous and difficult times. Their shared message was a surprising yet predictable restatement of God's expectations:
"'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them." Matthew 22:37-40 (The Message).

James and Peter unequivocally announced the need to trust God in difficult circumstances. They  clearly identified and cautioned against the tendency to snap, growl and condemn others when in turmoil. God-demonstrated behaviors: kindness, compassion, generosity and self-less patience are His expectations for our everyday relationships, even in times of death and distress.

The self-absorbed might incorrectly assume His expectations have moderated. However, it still comes down to trusting God in the difficult times as well as in the comfortable times.

Trusting God's judgement produced the peace that sustained Jesus' patient and forgiving spirit during His Passion Week. It will give us the same peace.

Photo By Jules Minos hosted by flickr.com