The Value of Relationships

 

By Andrea Merrell

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone.

If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody.

Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do.

Romans 12:17-18 MSG

 

Do you have someone in your life who drives you nuts? Someone who makes you want to escape to another planet? Maybe it’s a friend, neighbor, or co-worker. It might even be a family member. If you could just put some space between the two of you, maybe you could regain your peace. Things would be so much better if only …

I’m sure we all have that one person in our life who feels like sandpaper on every part of our being. While we’re with them, they’re a constant irritant. But maybe we should stop and consider the results.

Maybe, just maybe, that sandpaper is smoothing down some rough edges. Teaching us valuable lessons. Making us stronger. Making us take a harder look at ourselves.

Let’s face it, relationships are important. We all need them. But they’re not all going to be easy. The Word for You Today says, “Some of those relationships will bring you more pain than pleasure. Some people bring comfort while others build character—and you need both.”

God is definitely more concerned with our character than our pleasure, and He will bring people into our lives to help refine us.

Think about it. That difficult relationship you have with someone just might be God working in you.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash