Dear brothers and sisters;
I've read and still read many posts at CFS where disagreements or estrangement have no room for forgiveness and reconciliation.
In 2021, someone I had been friends for almost 25 years was very angry with me over two issues that I wasn't privy to.
In 2023 I had a mutual, bitter disagreement with someone. We both apologized and shook hands but it took some time for healing.
Matthew 6:14-15, 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. - NIV
I prayed and asked God to search me for my part and responsibility. I also chose to forgive. The hard part was being still as God went ahead of me. Still, I prayed for the individuals, their well being and that God would bless them.
During 2024 by God's design I met with the first person and while they expressed how hurt and angry they were at me, God gave me a listening ear while remaining silent. I honestly didn't recollect what I had done, but I apologized for the hurt and anger the person had been holding inside for 3 years. The person forgave me and said it was like a heavy weight being lifted.
Colossians 3:13, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. - ESV
We immediately began having a good conversation and the person gave me a Christian movie on dvd and asked me to pass it to anyone I wanted to.
The second person and I slowly began having small, cordial talk until one day thanked me for something I did. Today we're now talking about different topics.
God doesn't allow us to master our lifetime relationships with people, instead, He continues to guide and grow us (because things happen whether we are aware or not,) He corrects us in areas needed and blesses us to give and receive forgiveness and reconciliation.
It may seem impossible to smooth out difficult relationships, however, God overcoming difficult relationships is not impossible to Him.
May God hear your prayers if you are facing this in your life.
Bob
I've read and still read many posts at CFS where disagreements or estrangement have no room for forgiveness and reconciliation.
In 2021, someone I had been friends for almost 25 years was very angry with me over two issues that I wasn't privy to.
In 2023 I had a mutual, bitter disagreement with someone. We both apologized and shook hands but it took some time for healing.
Matthew 6:14-15, 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. - NIV
I prayed and asked God to search me for my part and responsibility. I also chose to forgive. The hard part was being still as God went ahead of me. Still, I prayed for the individuals, their well being and that God would bless them.
During 2024 by God's design I met with the first person and while they expressed how hurt and angry they were at me, God gave me a listening ear while remaining silent. I honestly didn't recollect what I had done, but I apologized for the hurt and anger the person had been holding inside for 3 years. The person forgave me and said it was like a heavy weight being lifted.
Colossians 3:13, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. - ESV
We immediately began having a good conversation and the person gave me a Christian movie on dvd and asked me to pass it to anyone I wanted to.
The second person and I slowly began having small, cordial talk until one day thanked me for something I did. Today we're now talking about different topics.
God doesn't allow us to master our lifetime relationships with people, instead, He continues to guide and grow us (because things happen whether we are aware or not,) He corrects us in areas needed and blesses us to give and receive forgiveness and reconciliation.
It may seem impossible to smooth out difficult relationships, however, God overcoming difficult relationships is not impossible to Him.
May God hear your prayers if you are facing this in your life.
Bob
