How To Restore Broken Relationships
Relationships are at the core of what it means to be human. Nobody wants to live life alone, nobody wants to live life without warm, loving relationships. Where do we get this strong desire for relationships? We get it from God. We were created in God's image and God Himself consists of a relationship between the three persons of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So God created us to have a loving relationship with Himself and to have loving relationships with other people. Whether you're a believer or not, every human being has the innate desire to have those two basic relationships with God and with people. Today I'm going to focus on our relationships with other people, but your relationship with God is actually the most important.Last week we talked about Growing Together In A Life Group, building relationships with new people. Each of us needs to learn to build the relationships in our lives that God has blessed us with. NLT Philippians 2:1-2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. There you have God's will for the family of God, we should agree wholeheartedly with each other, we should love one another and we should work together with one heart and purpose. Those three things are also God's will for your family, agreeing with one another, loving one another and working together with one purpose.
Yet sometimes things go wrong and relationships that were once warm and close become cold and distant. Relationships that were once loving become broken. What should you do when a relationship becomes broken? Should you just give up on it? Look elsewhere for a new one? I believe that relationships are worth salvaging, so today I'm going to talk about How To Restore Broken Relationships. Those who restore broken relationships are peacemakers because broken relationships lead to conflict arguments and fights.
NLT Matthew 5:9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. The blessing of God is upon those who work for peace the blessing of God is on those who restore broken relationships. They will be called the children of God. Why? Because peacemakers are acting like their heavenly Father who made peace with us through the death of Jesus. So now lets see what God's Word teaches about how to restore broken relationships in your life.
Think about the relationships in your life. Some may be going good, but there may be others that are strained or completely broken. Keep the one in mind that is the biggest problem in your life right now as we look at God's Word.
To hear more about this topic, listen to my June 11, 2006 message entitled How To Restore Broken Relationships via flash streaming audio, podcast or mp3 file.
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How To Restore Broken Relationships
Posted by Pastor Dan @ 2:44 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
I am going through a broken relationship.I have studied the peacemaker series, sought counseling, prayed, and read a book by John Ortberg. Everyone tells me to let go and move on. I have a huge problem with just settling with no communication and no resolution. I am still hurt and reminded just how wrong I have handled the situation by placing alot of blame on him and trying to pressure him to go to counseling. I treasure him but more importantly I need to treasure God and start over with prayer. This has gone horrible for some time now. Your message has helped to remind me of the need to be faithful with seeking God, praying, and looking for the right time to approach him again. He doesn't like conflict and he is just as miserable as I am.
I have tried everything. Even prayer. Nothing is working. I've done as the Bible said and tried to reconcile and make peace with the person whom I have hurt. She wouldn't forgive me, or reconcile with me in any way. I am still hurt and depressed, and just don't know what to do anymore. I don't know even know whether or not it is wrong to try to approach her again. Like the above poster says, everyone keeps telling me that too... to let it go to move on. But this just doesn't feel right to me. NO RESOLUTION? Should I settle for that? To be miserable for the rest of my life without some sort of resolution? Again, like the poster above, I am still hurt... I don't know how to handle my pain, or deal with this situation effectively. I tried to apologize, but it didn't do any good. So now I am just miserable and depressed. I wasn't slothful at first, I tried to talk to her. But she wouldn't listen, so I just gave up. But even giving up doesn't feel right. And even going back to apologize now that she doesn't want me around doesn't feel right, either. Moving on, also doesn't feel right. I feel like I'm boxed in, with no escape.
It takes two to reconcile. As a believer, your responsbility is to forgive and attempt to restore the relationship. This is not always possible.
NIV Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
Note that in this passage, we are instructed to live at peace, "as far as it depends on you." If the reconciliation is not possible at this time, then leave room for God to act by placing the relationship in His hands and going on with life.
God has a plan for your life and no broken relationship or person who refuses to forgive can thwart that plan. When you have done what is right, move on in God's plan for your life.
I have a situation where, I did not hurt someone, but I did approach them with what was on my mind. By voicing it to them, it helped free me, but it wounded the relationship and now we are walking on egg shells. It is slowly healing, but I can no longer speak freely to this person. And we used to sit for hours and talk. I enjoy being around this person. I wish now that I would of never said anything. The Lord is healing the relationship, but it not the same. I'm so confused, that I don't know where to turn from here, except to GOD, to sit still and let him heal the relationship.
And I know not to be double minded...but at time...I am so confused. I want back the old relationship.
Needing help...
I tried to restore my relationship with my husband on my own, unfortunately things got worse. I had an affair and this made things even worse. I came to the cross road in my life with a broken heart. It became so painful that I rededicated my life to the Lord. I realized that the only hope for me was to seek God.Jesus became my counselor and comforter. Music was therapy for me. I put my trust in God and believed the situation would become better.One day I presented my husband with a relationship analysis sheet. My relationship with my husband received the lowest score. At this point in our lives we were also going through a financial crisis and this made matters worst.Through it all I learned to depend on God's Word. Every relationship is worth restoring. Lay your troubles at the foot of Jesus because he promised that he will never leave us or forsake us. God is real and very powerful. Always remember God is in Control. When you troubled communicate with the higher power. Prayer until something happens. I prayer and my husband also prayer. We waited and I am happy to say that we are together and continue to prayer daily. God Is Love.
Victorious in Jesus
Reading your posts have also brough tears to my eyes, as I have been there. God is all about restoration, that is why he sent his son, to restore the broken relationship between himself and us. Sometimes God needs to show us certain things in life, and may need to deal with us in certain areas. I encourage you to continue in prayer and be steadfast. Use this time to ask God to heal your wounds, and reach out to your support group of close friends, and famiy members that can provide you with the support that you need. I have been there, where you are, but through much prayer and trusting in God, my partner and i are in a better place. It was nobody but God, to do it! Also, remember that YOU alone can change a relationship, by changing yourself. Some great books that have helped me include writings by Henry Cloud and Towsend, there is a website where they have written on different relational issues. Also, find some relationship books-Gary Chapman is also very good.
Much Love and continue to Trust God, he will never give us more than we can handle.
Love You All!
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