[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
Relationships are a vital part of our lives, most of the time they bring us joy and contentment, but sometimes they bring hurt and pain. At times even good relationships, strong relationships have there moments when pain and hurt is involved.
How are we supposed to navigate forward through the not so great times in our relationships?
How do we bring about restoration in broken relationships?
Well, Jesus is our model for how to handle these things, and exactly what I am talking about in today’s video on Lessons from the Lake!
Tweet ThisJesus knew in advance that two of His 12 beloved disciples, His family would betray Him, and yet, He loved them anyway. In fact, He didn’t just love them, He said He was eager to be with them!
Honestly, when I suffer hurt or pain from a relationship, the last thing I want to do is be with around them, or even other people. As I read the passage of Scripture in Luke 22 about the Passover meal, I am struck, by how Jesus handles knowing what is to come. It got me thinking, how would I handle my relationships if I knew someone was going to betray me, or hurt me?
I recorded this video message a few weeks ago, and at the time I had certain past relationships in mind when I was looking at how I handled them compared to how Jesus handled them. However, in the last few weeks, I have had a few fresh example to work through. It is one thing to look backwards at broken relationships that you have had time to heal from, yet, it is quite another story all together to work through fresh pain and hurt and not take offense.
I would like to say that I am handling the hurt and betrayal in what I thought were close relationships just like Jesus did., but let’s just say, I am a work in progress. As I look to the way Jesus loved Judas even though He knew what Judas was going to do, I have come to a few conclusions.
I believe the reason Jesus didn’t take offense at the betrayal and denial, was becasue He was clear on His assignment. His assignment was to LOVE. His assignment was to pour into people and love them, so much so that Jesus was willing to sacrifice and die for those who hated and betrayed Him. WOW. I think Jesus was hurt, by what He knew was going to happen, and yet, he loved anyway. He poured out His life and invested in others anyway, and we must do the same.
I am still working through fresh hurt and betrayal, but Jesus shows me that I can do so and still love them through the process. Jesus in the business of restoring relationships. Sometimes, that isn’t always an option becasue the other persons choices, or because of safety. However, Jesus can change us, restore us, and heal our hearts towards the people who hurt us. Jesus wants to heal our hearts and wounds so we can move forward. He wants us to look at others through His eyes.
Jesus modeled restoring relationship when He restored Peter. He simply reminded Peter of the call, and chose not to dwell on the act of denial/betrayal, but rather the bigger picture. Jesus never had the opportunity to do the same with Judas becasue of choices Judas made. We need to keep this in mind, be open to the prompting of the Lord and heed the example of Jesus, and be clear on our assignment from Heaven.
We each have different callings and purposes too fulfill, we do all have the same assignment to LOVE.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-38 NIV)
Yes, even those who hurt and betray us, are our neighbors, and as we do the first part of this Scripture … Love God, He will help us fulfill the second portion.
May you be blessed today and remember that God is in the business of restoring relationships and mending hearts.
PS – thank you to all of you who filled out the survey about a new link-up I am wanting to start here on my blog. It will be coming very soon on a Monday!!! Yep, the majority of survey takers chose Monday’s so we can start our week out on the right foot .. which means, I will be changing around the posts dates for both Lessons from the Lake and my weekly Thursday blog post – stay tuned for more details.
[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
Sunday’s
Monday’s
What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings
Tuesday’s
Wednesday’s
Thursday’s
Friday’s:
Saturday’s:
Oh, my goodness, Debbie! I loved hearing your voice, and not just seeing a static picture! Beautiful!
Oh Thanks Ellen – I love the videos too – they are so much fun to do and I like sharing short messages, rather than typing everything out – so good to have you stop by today
Hi Debbie, I really loved the thoughts that you shared this week! I am so touched by the way that Jesus kept on obeying His assignment of Loving from the Father. He showed such wisdom and discernment to keep on obeying the call to love, in spite of the sting of breaking. Thanks for these words today! –Bless you neighbor!
Bettie – Yes, I am always amazed at how Jesus processed everything from betrayal, hurt, rejections… and then I am inspired to do want to be more like Him. He did show much wisdom and discernment, both of which I pray God gives me more of. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this very insightful post!
I was really struck when you said, “I believe the reason Jesus didn’t take offense at the betrayal and denial, was becasue He was clear on His assignment. His assignment was to LOVE. His assignment was to pour into people and love them, so much so that Jesus was willing to sacrifice and die for those who hated and betrayed Him. WOW. I think Jesus was hurt, by what He knew was going to happen, and yet, he loved anyway. He poured out His life and invested in others anyway, and we must do the same.”
There is a lot here to really meditate on and allow to soak in.
Thank you so much for sharing this edifying post.
Karen – yes, that piece about Jesus being clear on His assignment has had me pondering for weeks…. It has been a challenge for me as I look at relationships in my life and know I could have loved better, or more… I feel as if I am in good company as I continue to meditate on it – thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me here as well.
Love this! And I am with ya, I am a work in progress too. Thanks so much for linking up. I guess I missed the survey oops! I will be back to check out the new updates though -sounds exciting! Many blessings to you, Debbie!
Megan – I am so glad I am not alone in this! Thank you so much for stopping by.. I added the survey link again this week on today 10/11/16 posts so feel free to share your thought and voice what day works best for you. Blessings
Thank you for a good lesson. I agree…as followers of Jesus, we each have a job to do for the Lord’s Kingdom. There is going to be persecution if we are obedient and sharing Christ. We are to love others and keep our focus on Jesus no matter what. He will bless our obedience.
Kathleen – thanks for stopping by and commenting today – yes, we must stay focused on Jesus and what He has asked us to do, and know that no matter what comes, we stay obedient to and focused to Him
This is such a hard lesson, one that I have learned over and over. But we are all human. People cannot fully understand the full ramifications of their actions, at times. We are weak and sometimes act or speak in ways that we would never expect ourselves to do or say.
I have learned that although I may not like what has happened, I have to love the person anyway. If the offences are repeated I may choose to limit my time with that person, but I will still love them. I have to.
I cannot imagine how I would act or treat Judas or Peter, this in itself is a huge indicator of how we should live. Amazing!
Nikki – such great points, and isn’t it funny how in the moment of hurt, we forget that the other person is human and reacted as well. I agree that we may have to limit our time with others becasue of repeated offenses, and other things… but even then we love and pray for them, right? sometimes that is even hard for me to do. Have an awesome day!
I strive to put myself in the other person’s shoes whenever I feel hurt. It is hard when the hurt is fresh, but many times I come to realize the person had no idea they hurt me. They may have been selfish and wrapped up in their own world not to notice, but I am guilty of it too.
But, I too am a work in progress and it takes me time to come to peace. Thanks for sharing on #FridayFrivolity
Audrey – you are so right, it is hard when the hurt is fresh – but I like that you try to put yourself in their shoes. I am so glad we are all works in progress – it gives me hope and is a constant reminder to extend grace! thanks for stopping by
Debbie, I seriously needed this today! This reminder that God is in the business of restoring relationships and mending hearts. Sometimes it takes waiting and praying.
Crystal, I am so glad that you got this just when you needed it. Yes, sometimes it involves a lot of waiting and prayer. I have a relationship that I am still praying for and it’s been almost 10 years. I know God has restored the places in my life even if they are not ready. Blessings to you.