The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. –Psalm 34:18 NLT
In life, disappointments are inevitable; we cannot escape them. The biggest disappointments often come from our own families. Those we hold dearest can inflict the deepest wounds. Loved ones, at times, appear judgmental and unforgiving. Even innocent words may be received as hurtful, as we may not understand the intent. When we are offended, we may reach out to seek clarification regarding the offense. But even that good intent may not be received in the spirit in which it was meant. It is important that we do not shut down, allowing the offense to control us. We must place the rejection and hurt in God’s hands, allowing Him to work it out, one day at a time. Jesus understands every struggle we go through. He sees every painful moment that takes place in our lives. God knows that we are limited in our ability to understand how others think and how they will react to us. And God can restore what is broken. Satan would like nothing better than to destroy the families that God created. But families matter greatly to God, and He is right there beside us when we go through the fire. We need to allow Him to extinguish the burning embers of family turmoil and restore peace.
Lord, help me to forgive members of both my church family and my biological family of any perceived or real offenses.
Lord, bless me with Your wisdom, sensitivity, and love for each member of my family.