How Often Do We Trade In A Good Relationship For Something Worthless

                                                 When The Door Slams

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.                                                                                                         (Proverbs 15:1-3 NLT)

            Relationships are not strengthen through negotiation. If anything, they are weaken. In negotiation each side gives as little as necessary,  trying to get as much as possible...then waits for the next round in hope of getting more and giving less than the time before. Recovering what was traded earlier is the strategy.

            Negotiation generates competition, not cooperation. It cause to endure, rather than producing an alliance. In negotiation, to lead from strength is fundamental. Vulnerability is to be avoided at all cost. To be vulnerable is bad business. But good relationships comes through love and forgiveness. Somebody has to be vulnerable, to lead from weakness, to give in, to lose. Which is repulsive to human ego. 

            Good relationships are not based on 51/50 principle. Someone has to be willing to go all the way, all the time. What is of greater value than secure relationships! How often do we trade in a good relationship for something worthless? 

            Think about this: Love and forgiveness are costly, but they are the price of good relationships: between husbands and wives, parents and children, blacks and whites, neighbors, friends, government and immigration. Which is why it is so easy to talk peace...and so costly to have it. Peace talkers are a dime a dozen. Peacemakers are rare and priceless. 

            The LORD Jesus. He never negotiated. He loved. He gave and gave, all the way to the cross. Relationship begins when somebody leads from weakness! "Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

            Intercession: And this his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.          (John 3:23 NLT)

 Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.   

                                                            Never Rest Ministries