“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”      Romans 8:28

All things work together for the good of those who are called. That includes our marriages and relationships. We are all being uplifted to bless each other and do each other good.. it also includes our failures, inadequacies, and troubles. Our greatest challenge is relationships, especially the close ones we have with family.

It precludes that we want good things in relationships in the first place. Often we are so hurt by things that have been said and done, that we don’t want to face things. We don’t want to be bothered with the difficulties of others, and tell ourselves that we have none. The human reaction is to walk away.

What if things have happened that are so hurtful and have damaged us for long periods of our lives.? We have been wounded by an enemy who will never accept their fault or be sorry. God says we must love our enemies and do them good. We are called to forgive and walk worthy of our calling in Christ. It does not mean we move in with an abuser, but our minds must be clear from all hating or unhelpful remembering. We entrust ourselves to God and do good to everyone He has put in our way.

Marriages are especially difficult. We love each other and promise to continue to the end of our lives. That is a binding promise and God will hold us to it. If our relationship is broken, there must be good reason for it. We must seek help from councillors or advisors with skills to help failing relationships, but not to bury our heads in the sand. Often marriages fail, and there is lots of anger and blame. We need to have the courage to sort our feelings out and talk the way through. We can build up huge amounts of negativity and sweep it under the carpet in the hope it will go away. It never does.

No one wants a relationship that is not trusting, open- hearted and good. We must pursue this and deal with our problems at the front of the issue. Love does cover a multitude of sins, but it must also be honest. If we are not honest with ourselves, the resentment can build up and become a huge mountain to climb. To be honest with the other is also necessary and to be able to forgive wrongs, as we live our lives daily.

Too many do not understand the issues of life and these remain unknown to themselves. This is very debilitating and we will feel huge amounts of pain, and not know why. To have the courage to look within and see what we are really like, is too painful on our own. There are also issues we cannot or should not share with others, and those stand as doom- laden monuments of trouble. To know God, is to know someone who can show us ourselves and say to us, that it is all forgiven and the hurt you can put on me.. no one else is like that. God sees and knows our troubles and He will show us the way out.

That pathway starts at the cross, where we confess our failures and in-built sinfulness, and we are given a new life. This new life invigorates our souls and we have a confidence in God, that He will make all things new.

However broken we may be, His grace is sufficient. We will have to fight with the full armour of God, and it will mean the laying down of selfishness and conceit, but He will do it and give us the power to fight. As we keep walking, the Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth and we will become strong and do exploits. These will include, sorting out our relationships and renewing promises. This is the way… walk in it…

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…

Shall death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”      Romans 8:35-39

Walking in faith means keeping the commandments, and obeying the Lord our God… He will keep us to the end, if we persevere under our trials. Only He can turn these trials to good, and one day we will see His purposes and His faithfulness towards us and all who love Him and wait eagerly for the final kingdom that is coming…