Relationship tips (4)

Yes, sometimes relationships are hard. But mostly because people are misshapen, with rough edges and sore wounds. In times gone by, monastic communities were places to live completely devoted to God, but still in close, constant contact with people who could help get rid of the rough edges. These community experiences didn't just help people focus on God; they also exposed the bits of their personality that needed work. Which could be a painful experience. So, relationships are a bit like a grinding machine where the spikey bits, which we'd otherwise get away with, are knocked off and polished down. It's a process of learning selfless love, the bedrock for a Kingdom based on unconditional love.

When a relationship is in trouble, professional help can be a really good thing, but, in fact, long before that, it needs to be given to God. If we as individuals in unity put ourselves into his hands, the situation changes completely. Our point-scoring and personal pride get replaced by his priorities.

As long as we focus on 'straightening out' the other person, we're part of the problem. Give it to God, and the issue becomes his to sort. Not only that, but we'll experience peace. The psalmist puts it this way: 'Give your worries to the Lord...He will never let good people down' (Psalm 55:22 NCV).



So what now? Praise God for the spikey bits he's taken off you and smoothed out. And ask him to be the guide and 'smoother' of all your relationships.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Give your worries to the Lord.' Psalm 55:22 NCV
— SOULFOOD —

1 Cor 16, Matt 3:7-10, Ps 75, Pro 31:31