God's Directives for Troubled Relationships

I have a relationship that is badly damaged. Words have been said and actions done that have hurt both of us enormously. I've wondered over and over what to do. I've asked God to bring peace to the troubled relationship, to bring healing. To today, He hasn't. Not that today some thing tangible happened to change the situation. No, it is still the same. However I did get a directive. Since this is more than I've received thus far, I'm very excited.

As usual, in my praying I asked the oft repeated, God please heal this relationship.

My Scripture reading this morning was Luke 6. In verses 27-31, I read, "But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. Do for others as you would like them to do for you."

These verses are nothing new to me, but as I read them today, they seemed to jump from the page and immediately I knew God was speaking, God was leading. I read and re-read and sensed God was saying, lay aside your rights on this one. Be abused and don't retaliate, don't protect yourself. Turn the other cheek. When I'm reminded of the "slaps" I've already received, I'm tempted to run away from this relationship --hide and protect myself. But even the pagans do this as pointed out later in the same chapter. What is different about the people who follow God, is they pray for the abuser, they turn the other cheek, they give more than required of them, and when something is taken away, they don't ask for it back. When one wants to retaliate, a God-follower chooses instead to "Do for others as you'd like them to do for you."

In no way will this be easy. My prayers and my actions with respect to this relationship will be more proactive now. Instead of protecting myself, I know God expects me to lay down my rights, to offer up my emotions for whatever comes. My directive is to do to others what I want done to me. In this situation, I know a number of things this means -- and they all go against my natural inclination. God help me.

After some time percolating on these Scriptures this morning, I went back to read some more in the same chapter. The chapter ended with this verse. Luke 6:45, "Whatever is in your heart determines what you say." In this troubled relationship, I've got a lot a garbage in my heart.

So today, my prayer changes somewhat. I want my heart to be changed so that what comes out of my mouth will be good. I asked God to stuff my heart full with the truths from Luke 6:27-31: Love my enemies. Do good to those who hate me. Pray for the happiness of those who curse me. Pray for those who hurt me. When I'm slapped, don't run for protection. Stay engaged and willing to receive more slaps. When asked for something, give more than asked and don't try to get anything in return. And finally, the one that sums it all up succinctly, treat like I want to be treated.