Who Do You Want to Please?

Recently my thoughts have been bothering me – it is as though they are accusing me over an ongoing difficult relational issue. This is not the first time this has happened, it occurs every now and then. Usually it happens a day or two after I have heard a name mentioned or seen someone from afar who reminds me of a strained relationship.

I am sure you will agree that it is not easy to have hard relationships – none of us like it. We certainly don’t. When we no longer carry the events with us, and we have put them far away from our thoughts we can, if not vigilant, allow the un-mended relationship to accuse us when reminders visit us. It’s those reminders that can start to accuse us if we do not evaluate our thoughts Biblically and the accusations are left unchecked. Time does assist with distancing us from people and places – it distances us from remembering what occurred to make the relationship awkward. However, what are we to do when we feel as though our thoughts are accusing us. I recommend:

1. remember realities

2. separate feelings from facts

3. analyze and sift realities and facts through the grid of Scripture

4. grieve the damage sin causes in a fallen world

5. whom do you want to please, honor and glorify – the Lord, or others

6. seek the Lord for comfort, peace and endurance

7. pray for broken relationships

8. pray for the Lord to sensitize hearts and consciences to the Truth

9. pray for the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, and lead to repentance – yours, if needed, and theirs

10. pray for the Lord to be glorified in your own heart and in the lives of all

Trust God!

• For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

• As for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:11-12).

• I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence (Psalm 39:1).

• Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3).

• Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe (1 timothy 4:7-10).

• Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will (2 Timothy 2:22-26).

#trust #relationship #conflict