Romans 12:18 reads, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Living peaceably with all certainly glorifies God, but what if the peace is disturbed, is it possible for God to be glorified still?
Recently, without meaning to, I offended my friend.
The way she dealt with me demonstrated how peace can be pursued and how God can be glorified through difficult situations.
Following is what she did:
1. She approached me with my offense gently, without delay.
2. She told me specifically in which ways I had offended her.
3. Trusting that my intent was not to hurt her, she lovingly shared with me what would’ve been helpful instead.
4. She encouraged me to pray through this situation, so that God could grow our relationship.
I am truly thankful for my friend who showed off our great God to me in a situation where our friendship could’ve been affected negatively. It was more important for her to help me understand her than to be right in being offended.
Praying that if you have a relationship that needs mending, the Holy Spirit would bring to remembrance God’s heart for reconciliation towards you; His desire is to bring us close to Himself, always.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”
And praying that your desire for reconciliation would greatly dim your desire to be right.
by Ajay Thomas
Ajay lives in Philadelphia with his wife Shainu and their kids Hannah and Micah. He is responsible for preaching and vision as a pastor at Seven Mile Road.