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Relationship with God
by Dr. Gary Smalley
Week of 06/20/05
"How should I relate to someone who has done me so wrong?"
It is impossible to become a man of God without God! Therefore, it is important to commit or rededicate your will and ways to the Lord. Your relationship with others will only be as strong as your relationship to God.
Mike's story underscores this principle. During their wedding ceremony, Mike and his wife pledged to love each other until death. But they joined thousands of other couples who first signed a marriage certificate and then divorce papers. The breakup of his marriage, however, was the catalyst that brought Mike back to a closer walk with the Lord.
Purposing to be at peace with the Lord, Mike knew he could not harbor ill feelings toward his wife. But that was easier said than done. After several years of marriage and putting his wife through college, she came home one day and announced, "You've been a dynamite husband and a wonderful provider, but I'm leaving." To add insult to injury, Mike's wife eventually moved in with a guy from their gym. Her decision to do her own thing meant that Mike would now be forced to also. His plans for having a family and growing old together with his wife were suddenly gone. He found himself sobbing until he couldn't take it anymore.
His only alternative was to turn it all over to the Lord. Within twenty-four hours he was flooded with peace he never realized was possible. He was freed of all inclination to judge or blame her. Two months later they met, and his ex-wife immediately sensed Mike's newfound peace and freedom. His presence so impacted her that it drained any awkwardness or defensiveness from her. She finally gave her life to the Lord as well!
As it turned out, they ended up working at the same place and attending the same company meetings and events. They can converse in the halls without feeling strained. Mike is at peace with God and with his ex-wife. Who knows, they might still get back together now that God has both of them in his arms again.
Since your relationship with people is affected by your relationship with God, in what ways can you strengthen your spiritual walk?
How in turn will this effect change in your closest relationships?
Best of all, they went beyond our highest hopes,
for their first action was to dedicate themselves to the Lord
and to us for whatever directions God might give them.
2 Corinthians 8:5
© Copyright 2005 Smalley Relationship Center
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