In the aftermath of open warfare against an obvious external enemy, each veteran faced a new and more difficult responsibility. This required rebuilding individual lives through strength of character and courage to maintain blessings already secured. The challenge was to stay focused amid tedium, apathy, self-doubt, and self-centeredness fed by lonely self-pity. Though still part of one nation, daily life became a battle to overcome and grow, fought mostly apart yet aimed at preserving the way of life together. In a world diametrically opposed to the way of life that must be maintained, violent battle occurs to move continually forward. This violence manifests itself in the battles that take place within each person who struggles to have the heart completely changed and turned. The instructions given require no less than a violent effort to fulfill responsibilities before God and to overcome. The same kind of struggles continues today, except of a much more vital nature. Within scattered places God develops people as holy unto Him in order to be faithful and contributing members. This is a violent process away from the mind of satan. The more one submits in every aspect of life, the easier the burden becomes. The battle is raging, and the Kingdom of God must be taken by force.

Pride is the father of numerous emotional disorders because it brings people into conflict either openly or internally. Whenever it is held within, very likely the outbreak is going to be in some sort of emotional disorder. People call such individuals unbalanced or even mentally ill, but churning away inside this person is a perverted comparison. There is pride there that brings them into conflict with someone and they never get that conflict resolved. Most frequently the conflict is within the home, usually with someone who is very close. Sometimes it can be on the job. Good personal relationships are almost impossible where pride and its firstborn, prejudice, exist.

The concept of internal conflict reveals a profound spiritual struggle within individuals, often hidden beneath an outward appearance of peace. Even in the absence of external war or strife, inner turmoil and discontent persist among those not called by God, as they war with themselves, grappling with ignorance and confusion about what is true and right. This conflict of conscience, marked by weakness, allows actions that a stronger moral sense might prevent. Modern manifestations of this internal battle are evident in humanity's frantic search for identity, where confusion and rebellion lead to a rejection of reality, further deepening personal unrest. True peace, as conveyed by the Hebrew word shalom, transcends mere absence of conflict, encompassing well-being, contentment, and spiritual wholeness. Yet, without a right relationship with God, such peace remains unattainable. Sin creates a state of internal conflict, separating individuals from God and fostering a persistent lack of tranquility. The peace that Jesus Christ offers, as a divine and transcendent gift, counters this inner struggle, providing a secure foundation backed by the sovereign power of God. This peace, unlike fleeting human hopes, is real and immediate, enabling believers to remain steady and courageous amidst personal trials. Jesus Himself demonstrated how to overcome internal conflict during His agony in the Garden of Olives. Facing intense fear and uncertainty, He turned to prayer, aligned Himself with God's will, persisted in seeking divine help, and accepted His path with unwavering trust. Through this, He found tranquility in complete devotion to God's purpose, showing that the peace of God does not eliminate turmoil but equips one to endure it with a steadfast spirit. This divine peace, a fruit of the Holy Spirit, guards hearts and minds, guiding believers to live righteously even in distress, as it surpasses human understanding and remains a constant condition within the covenant relationship with God.