Many of us do everything we can to avoid conflict, but conflict is inevitable.  There is no way to avoid conflict.  We need to understand that conflict often has a purpose.  Conflict leads to growth.  

1 Peter 4:12-13, Dear friends, don't be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire. Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return. (CEV)

He said don’t be surprised that you are going through testing that is just like walking through the fire.  He goes on to say that you will have an opportunity to suffer like Christ suffered.  I don’t know too many people that like this verse.  We don’t want to suffer.  I don’t like this verse either. 

What is this all about?  These times of testing and trouble are actually opportunities to know God more intimately.  I know this is difficult to see in the midst of difficulty.  The Apostle Paul said I want to know God in the power of His resurrection, but He went on to say that He wanted to know God in the fellowship of His sufferings.  There is fellowship in suffering. 

Do you remember Steven?  Steven was stoned to death because of his relationship with God.  He was stoned to death because He preached the gospel.  He was stoned to death because He shared the message of Jesus Christ with the people he came into contact with.  The world hated him because he was a Christian.  They stoned him because he followed Christ. 

There is an interesting thing that happened while Steven was being stoned.  The bible says that Steven saw Jesus as he was being stoned.  He never saw Jesus in his success.  He never saw Jesus in his triumphs.  He saw Jesus right in the middle of this intense spiritual warfare. 

He had to see Jesus because as he was being stoned he prayed for his enemies.  What was happening?  Steven had fellowship with God in the midst of his suffering.  He received a standing ovation from the king of kings himself.  The bible says that Jesus was standing.

James 1:2-4, My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete. (GW)

This is the process.  Conflict leads to growth.  Whenever you surrender your life to Christ you need to be prepared for conflict.  Be encouraged, in the midst of your conflict you can experience intimacy with Jesus like never before.  He will be in the fire with you.  In the fire we are growing.  We are maturing.  Always remember that God has a way of taking everything in our life (good, bad, and ugly) and using it for our good.