“God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships.” 2 Corinthians 5:18 (GW)
“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18 NLT
Day 20 of 40: We’re at the half-way point and today I failed the test. I’m not much of a peacemaker.
Oh it’s been easy enough when I was not a party to the conflict and had some authority in the matter… like a parent telling his/her kids to go to their rooms don’t come out until they can say they’re sorry and be nice. It can be draining… tedious… frustrating – but it’s not personal.
It’s when I’m up against a wall in front of a firing squad (at least that’s the way it feels to me) that I get testy – and peacemaking gets short shrift. You know the old saying: “When you’re up to your waist in alligators, you can’t think about draining the swamp.” I’ve been up against my share of walls over the years… and have waded with alligators. I don’t do well in those situations.
The seven biblical steps that Warren identifies are not new concepts to me… but putting them into action is not easy. BTW: I’m sensing a recurring theme here… talking the talk is a lot easier than walking the walk as a Christian. But you already knew that.
Seven steps to restore relationships: Pray First, Take the Initiative; Sympathize with Feelings; Confess My Part; Attack the Problem; Be Cooperative; Emphasize Reconciliation.
As I overview these steps, I realize that pride, insensitivity and a need for resolution (closure) are most difficult for me.
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I didn’t finish this post yesterday because I got lost in my emotional weeds. Even a cursory review of past unresolved conflicts is painful for me. The bottom line is: Who do I need to restore a broken relationship with today? That’s plenty for me to work on – I have an email to write.
The Peanut Gallery 