Inspirational Sunday

Bill Witcher, co-founder of Computer School for Seniors will be sharing words of encouragement, inspiration and hope with you each Sunday.

Can we talk?

I think at one time or another all of us have used those three words or have heard those three words. Depending upon how the words are shared and the circumstances, “talking” could be a good thing or an event to fear. “Oh no. What did I do now?” or “Oh, oh. What does he want now?”

Many times, when someone says in a serious tone with a concerned look on their face, “can we talk?”… a meaningful confrontation is just around the corner.

But that can be a good thing if you are making an attempt to restore hurt feelings or a broken relationship. Because life is all about learning how to love and how to do a better job of communicating with each other. God wants us to value relationships and make the effort to maintain them instead of discarding them whenever there is a rift, a hurt or a conflict. In fact, the Bible tells us that God has given us the ministry of restoring relationships.

I am currently reading Rick Warren’s fabulous book, “The Purpose Driven Life.” I am in Day 22 of my 40 day journey and I can honestly say I am learning a lot and being convicted a lot. When I read the lesson for Day 20 about “Restoring Broken Fellowship”, it hit me right between the eyes. I have some mending to do and I am taking the steps necessary to restore a broken relationship.

Rick Warren says, “If you want God’s blessing on your life and you want to be known as a child of God, you must learn to be a peacemaker. Jesus said, “God bless those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”

“Peace making is not avoiding conflict. Running from a problem, pretending it doesn’t exist, or being afraid to talk about it is actually cowardice (Can we talk?). As believers, God has “called us to settle our relationships with each other.” Here are seven biblical steps to restoring fellowship:”

1. Talk to God before talking to the person.
2. Always take the initiative.
3. Sympathize with their feelings.
4. Confess your part of the conflict.
5. Attack the problem, not the person.
6. Cooperate as much as possible.
7. Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution.

God tells us relationships are always worth restoring.