God's Word is Your Best Relationship Advise

“MY BOSS IS A JEWISH CARPENTER” read the bumper sticker on the back of Danny’s old 67 Dodge van. One day his boss asked him about it. “What do you mean your boss is a Jewish carpenter?” It had irritated him, evidently for a while. Danny explained that it referred to Jesus, who was Lord of His life. Once his boss understood it, he was fine with it. He even liked it! Had the boss never asked, it would have festered and could have even made things hard for Danny at work. It might make for disunity between men who actually liked one another. It could very well have gone so far as to cause Danny to lose his job. One small misunderstanding, not dealt with the right way, can make for much trouble and disunity. His boss could have called the other boss, his brother, and they could have discussed the bumper sticker and gotten madder and madder. Instead, the boss asked Danny about it. Together they discussed not only the bumper sticker but their faith. What was a potential volatile situation proved to be smoothed out and actually turned out for the better.

Often we have issues. We’re human. We hear one thing, even when the person speaking means something altogether different. Sometimes it can be our raising. If we were raised hearing sarcasm and belittling, then we might wear those feelings on our sleeve. If someone speaking to us, brings that feeling forward, we get angry and defensive. We find someone to “talk it over with” and pretty soon it’s us against them. What a simple conversation of honesty would do to make amends and keep the unity in the bond of peace.

Sometimes we’ve done all we can and someone still walks away, hurt feelings, antagonistic and done with it. We can apologize, ask forgiveness, and should, but it’s really in their ballpark. We do our best to keep forgiveness and communication in the forefront, but sometimes it’s just hard. Maybe you’ve been hurt beyond imagination. You’re not sure you can ever trust again, or you just want to get even or have your way. God knows all about our “frame” our humanity and He is mindful of us, so He helps us by His Spirit to work things out His way, so that God will be glorified and we will remain united. Satan doesn’t mind if we’re good old boys, if we gather our cronies with us or if we get offended and walk out of fellowship. But if we hold together in prayer and unity and discuss the truth with one another, forgiving one another, then the enemy can’t get a toe hold.

Oh beloved, run to Your Father this morning and tell Him all about your troubles! He knows already when you are hurt or angry. He sees your plight and knows the truth about the entire situation. Hang up the phone and hang onto Jesus! For He is your sure anchor in spite of the storm. Even if you do hear harsh words from people, you’ll never hear them from the Lord. If you find that you want to speak harsh words to others, you know it’s not from the Spirit of the Lord! Seek out His communication advice, His anger management plan and His prayer guide. Keep them so close to you so that when satan tries to misguide your feelings, you’ll be able to stand on the Word of God! He will take your defensiveness, anger, worry, fear and distrust and remold it into love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control! Oh how God loves you! And He is always for you! And that unbroken fellowship with Him is all that really matters.

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Colossians 3:13-14 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Psalm 33:18 But the Lord watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalm 120:1 I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to Him, and He answered my prayer.