Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (New Living Translation)

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 moment on, every bit of us belongs to him: our spirit, our body, our soul—and our relationships! His desire is to make us holy and fully conformed to the beautiful nature of Jesus.

Consequently, when we are in a relationship conflict, we can expect God’s Spirit to pursue us, nudging and pestering until we recognize and repent of all our unholy attitudes and behaviors. Our God is then faithful to take our anger and bitterness and wounded feelings when we offer them and to miraculously transform them into instruments of peace and healing and reasons to praise him.

Pray

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 bitterness 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

Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 10:5

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