When Plans Go Wrong: Living in God's Presence Through Conflict
Filling the Gaps with Grace: Living in God's Presence Through Conflict
In this second week from our sermon series "Comfort and Affliction" we're exploring how everyday miscommunications can teach us profound spiritual lessons about walking with Jesus.
Have you ever tried to make plans with someone, only to have everything fall apart due to misunderstandings? We live in a time of unprecedented connection and communication tools yet somehow, coordinating with others remains frustratingly difficult!
What's interesting is that this problem isn't new. For all of human history, people have experienced the frustration of miscommunication: "You said you were going to be there, but then I got there and you weren't there." These ancient conflicts feel surprisingly modern.
When Small Misunderstandings Become Big Problems
In 2 Corinthians 1:12-22, we see Paul addressing a conflict with the church in Corinth. What started as a simple change in travel plans spiraled into a serious trust issue. Paul had told them he wanted to make an extended visit, but when he arrived, he left quickly after encountering conflict.
This left the Corinthians wondering: "Why did you leave so quickly? You said one thing and did another. How can we trust you?"
Sometimes we react to minor misunderstandings as if they were major betrayals. We can exaggerate the sin of others and blow things out of proportion. Pastor Michael asks us a powerful question: "What small miscommunications are we treating as though they were assassination attempts?"
Have you ever been in a relationship where everything feels like walking on eggshells? Paul seemed to have that kind of relationship with the Corinthians. He explains that he's always tried to behave "with simplicity and godly sincerity" (2 Corinthians 1:12), especially with them. Perhaps God' is inviting us to consider how we might live simply and sincerely in our own relationships, too?
Finding God's “Yes” in Christ
When addressing this travel plan conflict, Paul makes a surprising move. He connects their miscommunication to the gospel itself. He says: "As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been yes and no. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you... was not yes and no, but in him it is always yes" (2 Corinthians 1:18-19).
Why would Paul bring Jesus into a conversation about travel arrangements? Because he's concerned that "a misunderstanding about my travel itinerary will undermine my communication of essential gospel truths."
For everything that this book teaches about principles and understandings of what's true about who God is and about who we are—unless Jesus comes to live the life that we couldn't live, to die the death that we deserve, to be raised to life — none of it can be applied to me."
Jesus is God's "yes" to all His promises. Any good that God does for us comes through Jesus. He is literally "the way" — we can't get anywhere with God without Him.
The Healing Pain of Correction
Later in the passage (2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11), we learn more about the situation. When Paul arrived in Corinth, someone confronted him aggressively. Rather than staying and fighting, Paul left and wrote them a stern letter.
Paul explains: "I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love I have for you" (2 Corinthians 2:4).
Sometimes love looks like giving correction. Just because pain and affliction are an inescapable part of life under the sun doesn't mean we should seek pain and inflict it on others at every possible opportunity. Paul showed discernment in how he delivered his correction.
A scalpel is a wonderful tool for health in the hands of a surgeon. A scalpel in the hands of a murderer is a terrifying tool of destruction. The pain of correction may be necessary for healing, but we need wisdom in how it's applied.
Let’s not forget: the master surgeon is Jesus. Before we try to correct others, we should ask the Surgeon where (or if) we should be cutting.
Walking in the Presence of Jesus
What does all this mean for our daily lives? Pastor Michael offers this practical wisdom: "You don't know it all, so fill the gaps with grace."
When misunderstandings happen, assume Christ is at work in the other person and respond with grace. Yes, some people might take advantage of your grace, but it's not up to you to fix them. Christ is at work in them.
Walking with Jesus means both giving and receiving correction. This requires acknowledging that Jesus is God, which means we are not. If we're not God, we don't know everything, and sometimes we need correction.
When we run from the pain of correction, we might be running from the very healing God wants to bring us. What pain are we resisting regardless of what its purpose might be?
Our individual sins always affect our whole community. That sin you're holding onto isn't just hurting you — it's affecting everyone around you.
The good news? Jesus offers forgiveness and restoration. His goal in pain and conflict is always reconciliation. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:10, "Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive."
A life of faith in Jesus is a walk in the presence of Jesus and walking in the presence of Jesus means giving and receiving correction.
Reflection Questions:
What miscommunication in your life are you treating like an "assassination attempt"?
Where might God be using painful correction to bring healing in your life?
Is there someone you need to offer grace and forgiveness to today?
How might your unaddressed sin be affecting your community?
A Next Step
This week, identify one relationship where miscommunication has created distance. Practice "filling the gaps with grace" by assuming the best about the other person's intentions. Then, prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to offer forgiveness or to humbly receive correction.
Remember, we are always in the presence of Christ. Every conversation, every conflict, every correction — all of it happens with Jesus right there with us, working toward reconciliation and restoration.
