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How can I repair a broken friendship?
Ask yourself some difficult questions.
Matthew 5:21-16
When a friendship breaks down, you probably spend a lot of time figuring out what went wrong—but most what he did wrong. You may be distressed over what he said and what he may have meant. It becomes nearly impossible to be objective and ask, What is my part in this? What did I do to evoke that response? Did I offend him in some way?
Your goal should be to "make friends with the person who has accused you" (5:25) rather than to place blame. When you set aside your rationalizations and hurt, you can ponder, What's in this person's heart? How can I meet a need in his life?
Although this sounds as if you're losing the upper hand, you aren't. Impaired relationships will plague you and occupy your thoughts. As you resolve these situations (which may take awhile) you become freer to enjoy your relationship with God. (See also Leviticus 19:17, 18; Matthew 18:15-20; Luke 6:37-42.)
Good Words to Remember:
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23, 24
Today's Challenge:
Do you claim or pass blame? How might you balance the blame more fully next time?
Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.
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