Avoiding Injury As We Make Amends

As long as we are human beings seeking to live in relationship with others, at some point something will go wrong.  When we recognize that we erred, we need to make amends.

But, it’s important when we are making those amends, that we be wise in the way we go about it.

In Step 9 of Alcoholics Anonymous they have this wise advice:  We made amends wherever possible except when to do so would injure them or others.

The pressure of guilt and our fear of exposure may cause us to rush ahead in an unwise way.  We may be so anxious to get things off our chest that we blurt out our amends without fully considering what is currently going on in the other person’s life.  We need to consider how our actions might injure them. 

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 

Philippians 2:3-4

Loving God, we are not always the best judge of what needs to be disclosed, or when, and so we are coming to You today to seek help and guidance in these decisions.  Thank you for wise people around us with whom we can consult as well as we figure out our motivations and the consequences of our actions.   

Whenever and however we do make amends, we ask for the humility and willingness to really take responsibility for the harm we have caused. We pray You will go before us so true healing can come for everyone involved in the situation.   

Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace. 

Luke 1:78-79

Thank You for caring for us and for teaching us the truth about every kind of circumstance we face.   Help us as we clean our side of the street.  Give us the desire and the will to forgive others and to work for reconciliation in all our relationships.  Amen