Conflict Free Living by Joyce Meyer

Conflict Free Living By Joyce Meyer

Where I got this book: Library

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis: Interpersonal conflict is causing serious damage and difficulties in our lives. Its destructive effects are straining marriages, embittering our children, and causing discord in our churches—even our daily commute is often affected by hostility and aggression.

 

What if things could be different? What if every area of your life—yes, even your morning commute—could be free from conflict and strife? What if ALL of your relationships could be filled with love and excitement? (Amazon)

Year Published: June 5, 2012

This was such an inspirational book for me. Joyce Meyer has been an influential Christian leader for some time, and yet I am just now discovering her. When I decided I wanted to read some of her work, I initially struggled in finding a place to begin. This extraordinary woman has written over 80 novels! Hence, when it came to picking one to go first, I was at a loss. David, naturally, had a simple solution: check the library and see what they have. I did so, and this was the first book to come my way. 

The thing that is so refreshing about Meyer, I think, is that she is very real. She doesn't mince words, rather she gets right to the point and the heart of whatever she is talking about. A lot of what she talks about aren't new ideas at all - rather, she has the talent of taking the advice provided in the Bible and explains and makes it relatable in ways that I can understand. 

She explains that strife is such a huge culprit of unhappiness in our lives. That our own selfish interests and dissensions are what are actually keeping us from living happy, peaceful lives. She encourages the reader to throw off that reckless desire to always be right or to always have to have our own way, and to avoid gossip and judgement of others, and to know how to catch such bad behavior in ourselves and correct it immediately so that it happens less and less. 

Meyer points the finger at Satan, saying that he is the culprit here - explaining that there is nothing he loves more than to see us unhappy and selfish and snarking at one another. He loves to be behind a phone call that ruins a perfectly good day or to make mountains out of molehills by using our insecurities against us. She tells us to be aware of that trap, to fight to overcome it, and to break free from the pains of past hurts that leave us feeling touchy and susceptible to enemy attack. 

I found this book so encouraging and uplifting because it reminded me that I had control of my emotions and what I allowed to bother or anger me. It helped me to realize that I didn't have to make myself unhappy all the time with my own selfish concerns. Meyer tells us to turn to the Lord for direction and peace and to recognize when we are slipping off of into the ditch and missing out on the blessed anointing of the Holy Spirit. It made me crave the happiness and peacefulness that she described and to feel like it was within my reach. I finished this book feeling much better about everything and really determined to have a tighter control on silly emotions and unnecessary anger. 

Joyce Meyer has the uncanny ability to make you feel like she knows exactly what kind of nonsense you've been up to in your personal life. She comments on what she knows your excuses are and explains them in a way that both makes you think and also can make you laugh at yourself. She's got an extraordinary message here, and I'm so glad that God put this particular book of hers in my hands first. 

-Casey