What can I do about relationships?

 

 

What a clear piece of old testament law, quoted by Jesus when he told the parable of the good Samaritan. It may be clear but how hard it is to live up to! So what can we do about the relationships with other people that go wrong?

 

 

Have you ever noticed that something said by one person can be annoying and offensive and yet the same thing said by another can be completely innocuous? It has been said that 90% of friction in daily life is caused by tone of voice, so being careful about the way we speak to people will help our relationships. Trying to see other people through the eyes of Jesus will also help. He saw the good in people and even when He reprimanded them He never appeared to make them feel small.

If a bad relationship is caused by actions rather than words, it is up to us to consider whether our own actions have been blameless, and to forgive any actions taken against us rather than bear a grudge. In families particularly this can result in bitterness festering for years. However, there are some relationships that you can never heal because the other person is unwilling to do so. In cases like that there is nothing to be done but to forgive that person and let them go.

 

 

So all our relationships, whether to individuals or groups should be founded on love. We cannot like everyone, but we can talk to them, understand them, and try to bring the love of God to them.

Extended reading: 1 John 2: 7 - 14

 

 

 

Heavenly Father, I thank you that you love me in spite of my faults. Make me able to look at others, especially _______________ with the same love that you have for me. Amen.