Serenity Saturday Listing Relationships Needing Peace
Saturday September 24, 2016
Relationships matter. Jesus taught us that a loving relationship with God and with others is the foundation of our new life in recovery and as Christians. Our primary focus should be on reconciliation of our relationships. In the past, some of our personal relationships may have brought frustration, heartbreak, or confusion into our lives, perhaps for an extended period of time. Indeed, some individuals entwined in our history may have died or exited from our lives. In these circumstances, finding healing and peace may seem impossible. However, with God, all things are possible.
When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. (Proverbs 16:7 NLT)
In Step 8 we make a list of all those we have harmed and become willing to make amends to them all. We can't begin to talk with others about relationship and making amends until we actually know and admit the truth about what went wrong. Of course, broken promises, lying, cheating, stealing, betraying, etc. are clear breaches to a loving commitment and must be on our list. But, what about resentment or a sense of entitlement that fueled the behaviour? If we can deal with false beliefs and sort out with God those actions that contributed to the breach, then we will have both the true facts and the right attitude about how we wronged someone. When we do this our amends will more likely result in reconciliation and peace.
Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. (1 Peter 3:11, 2 Peter 1:2 NLT)
We must give up the "right" and expectation that others must always appreciate, accept and care for us. That would be nice but it is not always possible as we, frail human beings, interact with one another.
Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 NLT)
Our part is to come to others with an attitude to bless and share God's peace together. Our hearts should be focused on giving rather than getting. God will take care of the rest.
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