2020 will be a year of reconciliation and restoring withered relationships the enemy attacked. Over time, God will strengthen some of these relationships seven-fold as a reward for enduring the attack.
Hebrews 12:14 tells us “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Make no mistake, there are some people you just can’t live in peace with. That’s why the Bible says “to make every effort.” Sometimes despite your best efforts it’s just not possible to live in peace with people. Sometimes it’s in our best interest not to reconcile with abusers and false prophets to the point of relational contact.
But I’ve learned if you make a sincere effort to live in peace with people you loved and lost over offense, your own bad choices, or enemy maneuvers to steak, kill and destroy, God can move suddenly to heal even long-term damage. Sometimes, you just have to reach out your hand. Sometimes you have to humble yourself and extend an olive branch, even if you don’t feel it was your fault.
I received this revelation while Mark 3:1-5:
“While in Capernaum Jesus went over to the synagogue again, and noticed a man there with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. Would he heal the man’s hand? If he did, they planned to arrest him!
“Jesus asked the man to come and stand in front of the congregation. Then turning to his enemies he asked, “Is it all right to do kind deeds on Sabbath days? Or is this a day for doing harm? Is it a day to save lives or to destroy them?”
“But they wouldn’t answer him. Looking around at them angrily, for he was deeply disturbed by their indifference to human need, he said to the man, “Reach out your hand.” He did, and instantly his hand was healed!”
Again, you may not feel you’ve done anything wrong. You may feel the other person should be reaching out a hand to you. But if you will go low and reach out your hand, the relationship could be immediately healed even though you were sure it could never be restored. Even if it’s not an immediate restoration, at least you’ve started the process.
It comes down to this: What do you want more? Reconciliation or to keep your pride intact? Humble yourself and reach out your hand. If they reject you, at least you’ve obeyed Scripture. And God can water the seed of truth you planted and bring reconciliation down the road. He can convict their heart.
Remember Colossians 3:12, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” And again, Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
