Article: Me Vs Me - a podcast by Christopher Stephens

(From 2/28/13)

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Hydouken! How many of you remember the old Street Fighter games from the 90’s? I remember playing with my friends and I would get angry when someone would pick the same person as me. I would think “That isn't even realistic to have a person fighting himself! I don’t care if the costume is a different color!” Well you guys I had a moment this morning where I was living out this scenario in real life! I was fighting against myself!

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It started about two hours ago when I received a phone call from my wife. For those who know my wife she’s a strong woman who isn't shaken by a lot of things. But when I got her voice-mail and called her back I heard something in her voice. Her voice was shaky and it sounded as if she was scared. She began to explain to me what had happened. She told me that when she rounded the corner at the gas station that her car had bumped the holder and damaged it. She explained that the store attendant ran outside and accosted her in an irate manner! Aww Man! Why did she tell me that! I was furious! She gave me his number and I called him and thank God he didn't answer right away because I had time to think about who I was. I’m a child of God and this man obviously had been put in our path for a reason. Although this realization didn't stop my heart from jumping out of my chest it did allow me to speak with him in a loving manner. When I told him who I was and that he’d be dealing with me now regarding the issue he tried to get an attitude with me! Hydouken! I’m at war with myself again! I’m throwing fireballs at myself thinking “man I could say some or do some mean things to this man!” and the Christ in me is saying “Harsh words stir up anger! Love your enemies!” I then tell him I’m on my way to come and give him my information and call the police and my insurance company. He tells me he’s leaving and won’t be back for another hour. Hydouken! Luckily I blocked that one! I calmly asked him to not do that and I told him I was on my way. I get to the store and his mother is there running the counter. She doesn't speak English very well. But she showed me love asking if I wanted a free drink, taking me to the pump to take pictures, and allowing me to sit in the store while he was gone. He came back after I’d called and filed a claim with my insurance company and I gave him the information. I gave him the information from my insurance company claim and I got back the unnecessary information he had gotten from my wife. I calmly explained to the man that we were not crooks or criminals. I told him that my wife frequents his store on a consistent basis and I know she’s always kind to strangers. He told me something that made me understand him better, he says “well usually when something like this happens people usually drive off or give me fake numbers. Or deny the fact that anything happened.” I thought to myself “What if I had acted ignorantly or became irate like he did with my wife? What if I had acted like all those other people?” It was then I realized that this man needed to see Jesus. It was not possible for him to get into a time machine and go back in time. I had to show him Jesus through my actions. And that’s exactly what I did! KO! At this particular moment I overcame the sin that was in me. I showed him love and assured this man that I would take care of the damages to his property.

There’s an old story about an Indian chief who was talking to some young warriors about the battle within. He told them “There are two dogs fighting within you. One dog wants you to do good and the other wants you to do evil. These dogs will continue to fight within you for the rest of your life.” One young warrior raised his hand and asked a question “Which dog wins?” The chief answered “The one that you feed!” If it had not been for the God that I put in me on a daily basis Chris “The Man” would have KO’d Chris “The Christian”. I don’t claim perfection nor do I claim to be an example to follow. I’ll quickly tell you to follow Christ and put your trust in him. I just wanted to share a real life example that I’m sure many of us will face even this very same day! Feed yourself the word of God on a consistent basis so that when it’s time for you to battle yourself, you’ll have a fighting chance!

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