Day 20: Restoring broken relationships

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God has restored our relationship with Him through Christ, and has given us the ministry of restoring relationships. 2 Corinthians 5:18 Relationships are always worth restoring: God wants us to value relationships and make the effort to maintain them instead of discarding then whenever there is a rift, a hurt or a conflict. HOw to restore a relationship: 1. Talk to God first before talking to the person - discuss the problem with God; tell God your frustrations, cry out to him, tell him exactly how you feel. What causes fights and quarrels among you? You want something but wont get it, you do not have, because you dont ask God. James 4:1-2 2. Always take the initiative- God expects you to make the first move dont wait for the other party. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24 - delay only deepens resentment ad makes matters worse. In conflict, time hears nothing, it causes hurts to fester. 3. Sympathize with their feelings - use your ears more than your mouth. - focus on their feelings not facts - we all act beastly when we get hurt 4. Confess your part of the conflict- begin admitting your own mistakes our sins. confession - powerful tool of reconciliation -accept responsibility for your mistakes and ask for forgiveness. 5. Attack te problem- not the person - choose your words wisely A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 6. Cooperate as mush as possible- sometimes it costs our pride- do your best to compromise, adjust to others and show prference to what they need. 7. Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution reconciliation - focuses on the relationship rsolution - focuses on the problem. source: The Purpose Driven Life Chapter 20 Restoring broken relationships by: Rick Warren