A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. Proverbs 18:19

What Do You Do With A Broken Relationship?

The idea of a lone soldier storming a well-fortified city seems like the stuff of legends and movies. The whole concept is absurd! Yet the Bible says that trying to win back the friendship of a hurt or offended person is like trying to capture an armed city. “A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel” (Proverbs 18:19).

So how are we to approach a person hiding behind the walls of their disappointment or anger? It’s hard, but not impossible. In the Bible, we find a plan of action modeled by God Himself. In the person of Jesus Christ, we see the steps that God took to repair the broken relationship between Himself and His creation. Christ’s loving actions restored an alienated world to His heavenly Father. As Paul wrote: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

In Jesus’s example we see the steps necessary to make peace with others. He loved, He humbled Himself, He suffered, He invited, and He forgave.

If we follow Jesus’ example, with a contrite heart, the choice then is the other person’s. We have reached out just as God is always reaching out to help His children. We must pray the Holy Spirit moves their heart to recognize the opportunity, then reach for our hand of peace.

God knows your intent, your heart. He calls us not to carry those burdens but to focus on Him always.

So pray and trust in God’s plan in God’s time.

The Bible tells us that the reason for the attitudes in a broken relationship is rooted in people’s hearts. James tells us, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (4:1). In contrast, God’s way is the unselfish way. In His effort to reconcile us to Himself, He modeled love, humility, suffering, invitation, and forgiveness. It is the ultimate in ingratitude to receive such grace and then refuse to show the same grace to others who have wronged us. If we truly recognize all that God has done for us, we can determine to follow His pattern as we live with people.

God does not hold us responsible for results, but He does hold us responsible for what we do and how we do it. As far as broken relationships are concerned, it is our duty to imitate our heavenly Father and follow the steps modeled by Him.

Lord, I give thanks for your grace and ask that all my efforts to heal a broke relationship follow your example and a contrite heart. I pray for patience and trust that it is in Your hands. You have the plan to be executed in Your time, I must trust in You!

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Be Still My Soul. I choose to follow Christ’s example to the best of my ability. I have to “trust” in God’s plan in God’s time. Faith in Him! https://youtu.be/itaC3wMlCCM