The Best Way Out of a Situation is Always Through It

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Mark Shields

In any tough situation in life we go through, we want immediate action but most of the time the best way is to think it out and ask for God’s direction to stay on track. In the post Handling Situations I wrote about the scandal of Jacob’s daughter being raped by the son of the ruler of the land.

Jacob was thinking ahead to handle the situation with his daughter Dinah in a civil way. He resisted the temptation to physically harm the man that had defiled Dinah but perhaps he accepted a compromise too fast instead of going to God for direction.

The best way out of a situation is always through it. One step at a time, let it run its course. Go to God with questions, admit your pain, and ask for the best way to handle the situation. Like this video, God can best bring you through: The Hurt and the Healer – MercyMe.


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 

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Handling Situations

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Mark Shields

We read about a scandal in Genesis 34. Shechem, the son of the ruler of the land in which Jacob and his family had settled had his heart set on Jacob’s daughter named Dinah but intermarriage with those who did not follow the God of Jacob was not permitted. On her way to visit some other girls in the area, Dinah was raped by Shechem.

Jacob probably thought about handling the situation with physical harm toward Shechem but he chose not to. Instead, it turns out that he was perhaps a little too soft and accepted a compromise. For Dinah to intermarry, all the Canaanite men had to agree to be circumcised.

The Shechemite men accepted to be circumcised and while the men were still in pain from the operation, Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi massacred them and brought their sister back home. Jacob was mad because he feared revenge.

We all face situations at work or home in which our impulse is to react with anger but it is always best to let God have input into the best course of action. He helps plan the right things for our day and our days run much smoother when we go to Him for direction.

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Repairing Bad Feelings

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Mark Shields

Jacob wanted to repair any bad feelings with his brother for tricking their father and receiving his blessing. The key lessons learned and written about in the post Humility and Kindness to Resolve Conflict is that words are important.

Jacob communicated his desire to meet with Esau. The words he used were kind and respectful. What we make happen for others will be given back to us so when we give a smile, a smile will be given back. When we act kind, we receive kindness from others. As brought out in this video, the words we use are so important: Words – Hawk Nelson.


Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32 

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Humility and Kindness to Resolve Conflict

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Mark Shields

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The meeting of Esau and Jacob is different than in their previous life together. As explained in Genesis 33, Esau sees his brother Jacob in a distance and runs toward him to embrace him (v. 4). Jacob and Esau are friendly toward each other. They both have been prosperous as Esau asked about the gift of flocks and herds; saying he already had plenty and that Jacob should keep them but Jacob insist that Esau keep the gift.

Several things can be learned in this passage about resolving conflicts with others. Jacob communicated with Esau. He sent men ahead to communicate what his intentions were; to meet with his brother in peace. He told Esau what had been going on in his life for all these years.

Then, Jacob showed respect in the words he used. Jacob used the words “my Lord” as the designation he gave Esau. He was kind to Esau and tried to flatter him with the gift of flocks and herds to find favor with Esau.

We face conflict every day. Maybe it is the driver who is in a hurry and cuts you off trying to get advantage in traffic. Maybe it is the fellow employee who is aggressively trying to beat you out of the promotion. Maybe it is a spouse who left this morning in anger after a disagreement. Whatever it may be, today’s passage offers some good ideas in resolving conflict.

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Genesis 33-36

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Mark Shields

Over the last few weeks, I’ve studied about Jacob’s life. Jacob had been told by his father Isaac to find a wife among the daughters of Laban so he traveled to Laban’s home near Haran. After he meets Laban’s daughter Rachel, a deal was made with Laban to work for him for seven years in return for being able to marry Rachel. The seven years only seemed like a few days because of Jacob’s love for her.

In reading Genesis 30, we got examples of just how omnipotent and sovereign God is because in everything from bearing children to career success, we see that God is the ONE who is in control. In studying the life of Jacob, we see how hard he worked and how he developed skills in raising livestock. He was shrewd and used his skills to become a very prosperous man that God would use to start a great nation.

Life was not always easy for Jacob. Laban’s sons accused Jacob of taking away their father’s wealth but Jacob had faith that he could do anything with God’s help. He had hope that God would pull him through this situation and it did. God’s way is the winning way. As we compete in the fast paced race of life, nothing is more important than being highly favored by God because He is big enough to make up for our deficiencies and provide the power to get us across to the finish line in grand fashion.

By initiating spiritual growth with regular Bible Study and reflecting on experiences along the journey, there will be spiritual maturity. What we write about today may not sink in but let’s write it anyway and someday our words like seeds will take root. Refuse to stop. Instead, do God’s work and eventually will blossom a flower for the world to see.

The mission of this blog is to bring out ways to apply God’s Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The below questions for reflection for the upcoming study are laid out below to help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next two weeks.

Genesis 33
What has happened to both Esau and Jacob since the brothers were last together? What can you learn here about resolving conflicts with others? What positive action can you take today to resolve a conflict with someone?

Genesis 34
What is the temptation presented to Jacob? How does he meet it? Should God’s attitude toward marriage written in today’s passage affect our thoughts about marriage today?

Genesis 35
What has happened to Jacob between his first encounter with God at Bethel and his return? What has gone wrong? What else happens to affect Jacob during this crisis period? What can we learn about God’s character in this passage?

Genesis 36
What marks the differences between the families, possessions, and attitudes of Esau and Jacob? In what lands do they settle? What difference does realizing that your “small” evil actions today can have long-term, far-reaching implications make in your living?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ. 

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God. 

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
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