Relationships Are Hard

Relationships are difficult, to say the least; be it a spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend, coworker, and of course our relationship with God. Each has its' own challenges. Each relationship, if it is to be fruitful, has to be nurtured. Those whom we love most, seem to hurt us the most easily, and the most deeply. Sometimes even trying to get them to understand how they have hurt us is difficult.

Many people who believe in God think that He is a distant watcher of the drama that is His creation. They picture Him... He sits atop an awe-inspiring, jewel encrusted throne peering through space at the goings-on of man. Never interfering... A cosmic bystander.

But, nothing can be further from the truth, God is all about relationships. Have you ever noticed that people seem to gravitate towards and focus on the wrath of God, or the overhyped depiction of God as vengeful/jealous? Throughout the Old Testament you will come across phrases like, "They will be MY people, and I will be their God".  Those sort of statements are even made after God had been rejected and disobeyed by those who claimed to love him... for centuries! So why would He make those sort of statements? We also see the answer to the question of, "why do we see the vengeful side of God." Deuteronomy 8:5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you... and, Job 5:17 Blessed is the one whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.",

Jesus was all about relationships while here on Earth... and even He was hurt by the relationships of those close to him.  (See John 7:5 and Matthew 13:57–58). His family rejected Him. The people of His own hometown rejected Him. His reply was the equivalent of saying that the people closest to you find it harder to see the great in you than do total strangers. No doubt that His feelings were hurt by the response of those closest to Him about His ministry. The whole purpose that Jesus came to earth was to save us from sin. It was all about relationship.

Now, if Jesus himself had to endure the difficulty of relationships, then so must we. We are made in His likeness after all. So don’t be surprised that those trials come. Be patient and kind. Try to see an alternative point of view in order to make peace. Do not repeatedly bring up past failures (Theirs nor yours). Above all else have compassion on them, and love on them. Like God, relationships have to remain paramount to us.

We Love you and We’re praying for you.

~Pastor Erroyl, and Sis Pinky

Sis Pinky's prayer:

Almighty Father,

We are in awe that You desire to have relationship with us despite our sins and shortcomings. Help us to desire You more than anything on this earth and to be appreciative of the love you have for us.

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray,

Amen