When You Need Restoration for Your Relationship

One of the thorns in life is when we face relationship issues.

Broken marriage.
Broken family.
Broken friendship.

How do we amend that?

To start with, in any relationship, remember that Christ is the one that holds us together. There is a verse from Colossians 1:17 – “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

What does that mean?

It means putting Christ in the centre of our relationships, surrendering to Him as the one holding us together, and letting His love flow over in the course of our relationships.

All things, including our marriage, our family relationships, and our friendship, are held together by Him!

When Christ comes into our life, we are held together. When Christ is in our minds, our mind is held together. When Christ comes into our relationship, our relationship is held together.

Don’t put anything in the centre except Jesus. Once the centre is right, everything will be held together.

Perhaps you are the party that has been wronged, and often, this broken relationship is accompanied by bitterness and hurt. Forgiveness is tough, especially when we're hurt by someone close to us, someone we look up to, or a person that we admire or respect. When we are close to someone, we will open ourselves up, making us more vulnerable and open to being hurt.

Imagine Jesus hanging on that cross, enduring the pain of being nailed, whipped, and pierced. But despite all those pains and humiliations, Jesus demonstrated forgiveness.

“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:33-34).

The Greek text implies a repetitive action, meaning Jesus continuously pronounced His forgiveness. When He was whipped, He whispered, "Father, forgive them." When they nailed Him, with every nail piercing Him, He prayed again, "Father, forgive them..." And so on.

It's like He was saying, "No matter what, I've got love and forgiveness for you."

This story isn't just about forgiveness; it's about a love so deep it can conquer anything. Jesus had given a real illustration to imply a greater work: His death on the cross was to provide forgiveness for all mankind's sins from Adam to the future. It's like God is always on the lookout for us, no matter how far we've strayed.

When we remember how we have been forgiven by God, His love overflows in our lives, enabling us to forgive others, too.

When you hurt others, it can be tough to make peace. The Bible says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). Sometimes, taking the first step to ask for forgiveness feels like climbing a mountain. But here's the thing—we need to ask God for wisdom and take that step of faith.

Remember the story of the children of Israel crossing the river Jordan? Picture this: the river Jordan was overflowing with water, a raging torrent that seemed impossible to cross. Yet, God instructed the priests to step into the waters. Can you imagine the scene? The priests, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, stepping into the rushing waters, trusting God completely.

And here's the kicker—God didn't stop the water or part the waters until the soles of the priests' feet entered the waters. It wasn't until they took that step of faith that the miracle happened. He asks us to trust Him, to take that step of faith, even when it seems impossible. So, friends, trust that God will make a way and amend your relationship in His time, even it doesn’t happen the way we want it to be. God knows best.

Let us pray!

Father God, thank you for sending your Son to die for me in my place. You love us unconditionally. Nothing we can do could make You love us more. And nothing that we've done could make You close the door. That’s because of Your great love that You withhold nothing to love us.

Nothing.

Not even Your Son.

So, knowing that Jesus has finished everything on the cross, we now come boldly to your presence, to the throne of grace.

You are the one who hold everything together, reconciling everything together, we now ask before You to make restoration and reconciliation in our relationship. If there are bitterness and unforgiveness, we pray that Your love will shower us and transform our hearts.

Jesus, we commit this relationship unto You and trust this into Your loving hand, and we pray for Your shalom peace that surpasses all understanding to rule in our hearts.

Jesus, You are my centre of life, we give thanks and we worship You.

In Jesus’ name, amen.