Making Things Right
Making amends is a responsibility we must take seriously if we want to protect our sobriety. It is not simply offering an apology for bad behaviour and restitution wherever possible. Making amends is about doing all we can to put things right and to make it as easy as possible for healing to come to those we have harmed.
Taking the first step in making amends to others would be impossible if God had not first demonstrated the way for us. Over and over again we failed to keep God’s commandments and yet, while we were still in our rebellious state, God sent His Son Jesus into the world to atone for our sin so we could be reconciled to Him.
Jesus completed the work necessary to bring us peace with God, and God calls us to extend that peace to others. As we begin the work of restoring our troubled relationships, we can reflect on God’s plan of reconciliation.
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT)
To make amends requires that whatever we do we must do it for the good of the person we have harmed. This is not intended to be a one-time event. It is meant to be our pattern for living each day. Our goal is not just to feel better about ourselves but to lift others up and, if possible, lighten their load.
Prayer: Loving God, Thank You for forgiving me for the times I have failed to act with love towards others. Help me to forgive those who have harmed me and to do what is necessary to make amends to those I have harmed with my own bad behaviour. From this day forward, help me to live my life in a way that lifts others up and lightens their load. Amen
Audio for Making Things Right
Recent Meditations
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.