Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NLT

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

Consider

On the day God redeems us, he redeems the whole package. From that day forward, every bit of us belongs to him: our spirit, our body, our soul, and even our relationships. His great desire is to make us holy and fully conformed to the beautiful nature of Jesus.

Consequently, when we suffer conflict in a relationship, we can expect God’s Spirit to pursue us, nudging and pestering until we recognize what is selfish or hurtful in our own attitudes and actions, and we repent of them. The faith God has given us, though it be tiny as a mustard seed, is our lifeline to the love and goodness of God we need to mend our hearts and change our attitude toward that person who offended us. When we open ourselves to God and ask for holy direction and healing, God takes all of us, including our hurt and bitter feelings, and works a miracle for our good and his glory. God grows the desire of his heart in us and leads us into love and forgiveness and a desire for peace that can heal and restore a damaged relationship.

Pray

Heavenly Father, although I sincerely want to be like Jesus, I know there are parts of my life that I am still reluctant to surrender. For unholy reasons, I do like to cling to my resentments and my injured feelings. Help me, Lord, to desire the sweetness of your presence more than I crave the bitter taste of nursing grudges. I am grateful to know that it’s not my job to transform my own heart but only to present myself to you without reserve. Then your faithful love will work your miracle in me.

Reflect

Matthew 17:20; Romans 8:29

Ponder

What quality does a troubled relationship bring out in me that is most unlike Jesus?