Inner Conflict

“Choose this day whom you will serve.[i] Does this sound familiar?”

Well, in our modern-day culture and language, I will change that to read, “Choose today which inner voice you will follow, the human voice or the voice of Spirit. “My topic this morning is Inner Conflict. We all have it and it can really be distressing so let’s decide how to remedy that.

First, what is inner conflict?

Merriam Webster says it is a plural noun referring to ideas, feelings, etc. that disagree with one another.[ii] Inner conflict is when we experience different thoughts, feelings or beliefs about a situation or decision. This mental and emotional turmoil can lead to stress, anxiety, and mental and physical exhaustion.

Types of Inner Conflict:

•        Self-Image/Self-Worth/Confidence.

Example: A man has poor self-esteem but has an urge to reach for a better job. His low confidence and sense of self-worth keeps him from applying.

•        Family responsibility vs. job/career fulfillment.

Example: A job promotion is offered that requires travel and time away from family, but the person wants to spend more time with family.

•        Personal decisions, where to live, etc.

Example: A person has a dream of living across the country, but family/friends want him/her to stay close. There is a fear of failure and hearing “I told you it wouldn’t work.”

•        Moral decisions.

Example: A lawyer sees a great career move by taking a case where she will have to defend someone who she is convinced is guilty. The case is big, she’ll obtain notoriety and further large cases. On the other hand, how will she feel when this guilty person walks free?

•        Theological decisions.

Example: You want to believe new spiritual principles that have been presented to you but you cannot give up your idea of a punishing God, sin and Hell.

How to resolve these conflicts:
1. Recognizing and acknowledging inner conflicts is the first step towards resolving them.
2. Engage your spiritual tools.

·        Spend time in inner reflection.

·        Look beneath the surface.

·        Ask what the situation is trying to teach you.

·        Ask what your spiritual self rather than my human self would choose.

·        Ask the Holy Spirit to decide with you and then patiently wait for the answer.

A Course in Miracles teaches that suffering is not required. We can achieve our goal joyfully. “When you have learned how to decide with God, all decisions become as easy and as right as breathing. There is no effort, and you will be led as gently as if you were being carried down a quiet path in summer.” Say to the Holy Spirit only, “Decide for me,” and it is done.[iii]

And the more we seek a sense of stillness — the more we quiet our mind; the more we connect with the Spirit within us, the more we can stay grounded, and the inner conflict will dissolve.

There are benefits that can come from inner conflict when we work through them.

One of the primary benefits of inner conflict is that it can lead to increased self-awareness. By examining your conflicting thoughts, emotions and deep desires, you can gain a greater understanding of yourself and what motivates you, what you hold sacred, and what you choose for your life.

This will also deepen your faith and trust in yourself and will strengthen your ability to look for spiritual solutions in the future.