I was walking away from the pantry one evening with a handful of roasted cashews, when our Schnauzer barked to go outside. Turning around, snack still in my right hand, I grabbed a few kibbles of dog food with my left.
Once we were both on the half dark porch, I popped my favorite snack into my mouth. Except that’s not what happened, not exactly. You see, I chose the wrong hand, and I’m here to tell you that dog food tastes nothing like cashews.🥴
Recent interpersonal conflict at work has provided a few such “On the other hand” moments. One committee meeting grew so confrontational, it left a horrible taste in my mouth.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
These words of wisdom, from the Apostle Paul, ran through my mind during the meeting’s immediate aftermath. Sequestered in my windowless classroom, eating a slow motion lunch, I realized something anew: I loathe hostility.
Of course, I went home that afternoon and lamented, at length to my wife about it. She listened politely, and then said the following:
This situation will effect all your relationships. You must come up with a plan to deal with it.
Nancy Duncan
Who comes up with a plan to stop interpersonal kryptonite at 6 o’clock in the evening!?😳
But then I thought of a blogger friend across the pond, a guy from the UK who has weathered plenty of relational storms. Thank God, he also stays up late.😊
I log on, and sure enough, Andy B, from Berry Bunch Family Ministry is online. I tell him about the dust-up at work and ask him to pray for me. He promises to lift the situation up to God.
Well, he and his wife, Jo must have prayed about it–before lights out–because I felt much better within minutes!
Kind reader, I was in no shape to say the right words to God myself, but a brother in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, said them for me. The power of intercessory prayer is real.
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (NIV)
Photo by Public Domain Pictures on Pexels.com
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
48 responses to “On the Other Hand”
It worked well! Great post.
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Thank you, Jo. Yes, praise God for the intercessors!
I tired to put the two stories together, but am not sure how well it worked.
God Bless.
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LoL 😆 I saw what was coming with the dog kibble but didn’t see what was coming with the spiritual application. Praise God for intercessors when we don’t know how to deal with a situation!
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God bless you!
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Thank you for reading and commenting. God Bless!
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David, eating dog kibble by mistake is definitely not pleasant. Cashews sound so much better!
Your interpersonal conflict at work can have so much longer effects on your work life. Your wife has great wisdom and you were wise to take it. Thank God for Andy B and his wife that prayed for you. God hears and answers!
Abundant blessings of prayer!
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I did switch gears rather abruptly, but I hope the analogy worked. The dog food didn’t stay in my mouth for long! It’s interesting what a big difference can come from choosing one path instead of another. In this case a dear intercessor helped me stay on the right one.
Thank you for reading and sharing, Manette Kay. God Bless!
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I’m grateful for prayer intercessors who’ve intervened in my life. It is a privilege and blessing to pray for our brothers and sisters and be the recipients when needed.
David, you had me laughing so hard at the first paragraph as I anticipated what you did with the kibble. However, your spiritual analogy was a delightful surprise and a great reminder.
I pray for the peace of Christ to permeate the relationship issues as much as possible.
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Yes, David I was smiling as I read your encouragement for Andy…God’s timing is always perfect. God bless you and Nancy today.
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Will do. He turned 13 this past February.
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I spit the kibble out right away, brother! Would you believe God used me to help Andy B. at a crucial moment to strengthen his walk of faith today? Of course you do! Our God is an Awesome God!
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What a beautiful testimony illustrating the real power of intercessory prayer. God bless you brother…go easy on the Kibble though!😁
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David, I’m so glad to hear that my readers are visiting your site!! Glad to hear the kibble didn’t go to waste. Give Cooper some love from us.
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Yes, indeed! Thank you for stopping by. God Bless.
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Thank God for friends that lift us up in prayer!
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I spit the dog food out right away and ate my cashews, as planned. Cooper, Mr. Schnauzer, didn’t seem to mind the slightly used kibbles —hey dog trainers do it all the time. 😀
Yes, my wife is a wise and godly woman. I am a blessed guy, indeed.
Andy B has become a dear friend in the faith—even though we live on different continents.
Thank you for your engagement and encouragement, Beth. I’ve seen increased traffic to my post about the gate with no fence.
God Bless!
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Oh no!!! LOL. Too bad a camera didn’t catch the expression on your face when the mix-up was discovered. Did your Schnauzer get the cashews? So I am in your boat, David, when it comes to hating conflict. Your wife is an incredibly wise woman and I appreciate you sharing her words. I love that Andy B and Jo played a role in your plan. Truly a great lesson on the power of intercessory prayer.
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We have more days in the 90s up here but starting Wed it is supposed to be in the 70s.
gummy bears- not quite the same impact lol
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Maybe you could read it again and substitute “gummy bears” where it says dog food.😇
I should keep my illustrations more low key.☺️
Thanks for reading and commenting! God Bless.
It’s still pretty warm down south. Is Fall starting up your way?
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I read your whole post but the whole accidentally eating dog food kind of stuck in my brain and couldn’t absorb anything else. 🙂
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I love it too, Barb. I’ve met so many wonderful brothers and sisters in the Lord here on WP—including you!
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Thank you Andy, I mean Andy B, I mean Andy Brown!
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I love that this community is so willing to lift one another up in prayer, regardless if the time of day!
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Great post. And I am glad that prayers of another Andy B were effective!
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(Whom usage—perfect!)
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We’ve both met Jesus…and that seems plenty enough 🙂
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I’m relatively consistent but sensitive. When I do get down over something, I’m not much of a pray-er either. Thank God for faithful friends, even those whom I’ve never met. I hope I used whom correctly. It sounds right, anyway. 😊
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I’m not good at praying for myself or my situations, but I’m so thankful for my friends who step in on my behalf. The power of intercessory prayer IS real.
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Good idea!
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God bless you too!
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I realized my mistake right away and spit that dog food out pronto! I’ll stick with human food from now on.
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I love that quote! How true it is. We can pray anytime and anywhere. Thank you for your prayers. God Bless!
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p.s. if you get the dog food brand that is bacon and steak flavor it might not be so bad!
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It is indeed! I saw this in a meme the other day, “When my arms can’t reach the people who are close to my heart, I hug them with my prayers.” You can pray any time, anywhere and it releases God’s power from heaven to earth! Praying for your anti-kryptonite solution to become clear.
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Agreed, brother Gary. The minor key relationships that are yet to be resolved are hard to bear. Yet parting ways with certain folks is sometimes the best answer. It’s a “hard roe to hoe,” as my grandmother used to say. Thank you for stopping by. God Bless!
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Beautiful. Isn’t it wonderful that we don’t always have to meet in person to have that connection in Christ.
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What’s equally amazing is Andy B. and I have never physically met. Our connection is through our mutual faith in Christ.
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I relate well David, there is so much wisdom in asking for help from another. I still have a couple of personal accounts open relationally from the past that have never been closed from hostile exchange. At least I have tried. The olive branches from my open windows have wilted.
If each relationship were a song, sometimes they are in a minor key with a bad chord yet to be resolved.
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I have a friend in the UK (where I am originally from) who I contact or call at crisis points like this. It changes everything when you have a prayer warrior who will listen empathically, and take the situation to God for you. It’s at times like these that belonging to the Body of Christ is especially meaningful. I’m glad you were able to do this too.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, SimplyB. One of my favorite thoughts to share with my students, and myself, is: “Be kind. You can’t rewind.”
Most of the fireworks are over at work. I hope so, any way. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
God Bless!
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Such good words and a timely message for these days when hostility and conflict is lurking around everywhere. “I was in no shape to say the right words to God myself, but a brother in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, said them for me. The power of intercessory prayer is real.” Yes. Effective, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much and brings healing. James speaks truth always. Like the stuff about tongue control, which always convicts me. Praying for resolution of your work situation.
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Thanks, BG. God Bless!
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Good stuff here!
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Ah yes, displaced aggression. I’ve punched a few milk cows in the side, back on the farm, only to hurt myself worse. I’m blessed to have a wife who has a good head on her shoulders. She’s also a wonderful Christian woman. Thanks, Pastor Pete. Blessings!
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So wonderful to have a friend who offers prayer rather than a plan to fix things. (At least for the moment). When kicking the dog, or slamming the car door doesn’t work, your wife’s insight offers us all the best advice!
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😊
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I most certainly felt your prayers—from across the Atlantic! Thank you, brother. God Bless.
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We were just privileged to be able to pray into the situation. We totally get conflict in the workplace and have certainly experienced more than what feels like our fair share.
But I’m just so thrilled that you felt the prayers we were saying for you, and your situation ☺️
Conflict is horrid. It turns the stomach for me, and I’ve never seen conflict develop in any sort of justifiable way.
Andy B
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