“The Lord would speak to Moses, face to face, as one speaks to a friend. …” Exodus 33:11
Have you ever had a close friend you did not argue with? I haven’t.
I have had many acquaintances, buddies even, however, a real friend without an occasional fight is like claiming you’ve found a pure diamond that has never touched a flame.
Is He still God?
The last good tussle I had with God began like this… “I’m so mad at you! I know You’re right, and I’ll admit it, eventually- but for now, I’m so angry and I feel like it’s Your fault!” You see, whereas He is still my God and He is always right, He, and His Son, and His Spirit, all told me, rather emphatically, that He’d rather be known as my Dad (which encompasses all of His characteristics) than a my God (please know, that this does not negate the His deity and Holiness to me).
The following verses all speak to how He desires to be our caretaker, our Father, etc. Matthew 6:26, 1 John 2:15, John 14:23 (and I could include dozens more).
Arguing, disagreeing, fighting, struggling with God… no matter how you phrase it, there is one inescapable fact… it’s completely Biblical:
Jacob – Wrestling with “God” – Genesis 32:22-31
Moses – Talking God out of crushing Israel – Deuteronomy 9:13-20
Gideon – Testing God and saying “not me!!! – Judges 6:36-39
Elijah – Telling God to kill him – 1 Kings 19:4-9
Job – Half the book of Job
Joshua… etc.
Every one of these examples and their full stories ultimately proves Heavenly Dad to be who He says He is… God. The intimate connection each one of these individuals grows into with God is undeniable, and one theme they all have in common is being comfortable and secure enough in their friendship with God to be real with Him and have a healthy argument with Him.
Yet, even after all these examples, many cannot grasp arguing with God, not if we are meant to be respectful, trusting and surrendered, how is that even possible?!?!
The reason is quite different and simpler than you may realize: society has decided that thinking differently means you can’t be true friends or be respectful of the other party due to their difference in opinion.
However, God made a rainbow for a promise, a universe filled with billions of different planets, He even made more than 350,000 species of beetles. Every creation is a little different.
Diversity is good, hence a difference of opinion is normal, healthy and even good!
Proverbs 27:6 says:
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted…!”
Solomon (known as the wisest man on earth) knew that hearing a difference of opinion was more valuable than hearing compliments… the second part of His saying warns against “the kisses of an enemy.”
All of this is to establish in your mind that a real intimate relationship requires a certain level of disagreement.
Here are three quick reasons why:
- Disagreement is a necessary part of communication – without contrary questions how will you clarify directions or misconceptions?
- Disagreement gives each party a chance to love one another even more: when you don’t see eye to eye on a situation or belief, you can choose to love them as a person versus loving them for their approval or point of view.
- Disagreement gives us a chance to process our thoughts and feeling, and who better to process them with than the One who created your thoughts and feelings?
Jesus said- “Be perfect as my Father in Heaven is perfect”…we all know that journey first starts by allowing ourselves to be accepted by Jesus, as who we are, the good, the bad and the ugly.
So…
Have confidence in His love…
Take your true feelings to Him… and
Jesus will STILL take you as you are and LOVE you unconditionally … and your relationship with Him may just deepen!
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