If you did not read the title right, then you probably think I am crazy.  We all have heard that “fleas” are any numerous, wingless, bloodsucking insects and it would be virtually impossible to be at peace with having fleas.  But today’s post is concerning “flees” and we will just define them as “persons who flee from your life.”  Today’s focus comes from James 4, which focuses on drawing closer to God. I want to deal with our struggles to be in relationships and the war that goes on when at least one person in relationship values their relationship with God over the desires that drawing close to another person can evoke.  In this chapter, God gives a clear picture of why we struggle in relationships with others.

“1What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? ² You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. ³ And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. ⁴ You adulterers!  Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” (James 4:1-4)

So you make a decision to make your relationship with God your top priority.  You know what’s right and you set your expectations in a manner that lines up with God’s instruction and plans for your life.  Everything seems to going okay and then the test comes, you stand your ground and the other person in relationship flees by causing an argument and justifying a reason for not calling, by trying to portray you in a negative light, or sometimes by simply disappearing. If your primary  goal is to please God, I ask you today why are you not at peace with the flees?  If we are honest, it is pride that makes us feel we are “above” being left or dealt with in this manner but the word of God addresses our pride this way:

 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  ⁷ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. ⁹ Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” (James 4:6-10)

Understand that when you take a stand for what’s right you are bound to have separation from things that oppose this view.  Unfortunately you do not get to “call the shots” on every separation and often times others actions can take you by surprise.  I’m encouraging you today to keep your faith and remember God’s word.  Work hard to stay loyal to God trusting in His promises for you.  As you resist, the things that don’t line up with His will for you, will dissipate and the people who come in to keep you at war between pleasing God and pleasing your fleshly desires will flee.  Unless you prefer to be a friend of the world, be at peace with the “Flees.”  Reality is you can’t have it both ways.