Waterproof - Principle 4

The Bible says, if a BELIEVER has offended you, go to him, sort the matter out between the two of you, if he listens, you've made a friend! Being of sensitive nature, those especially close to me, have offended` me very easily and some unknowingly! The wrong way to handle it, I've seen...is keeping quiet and treating the person like an outcast...With some things it is necessary to build a bridge and ... get over it in other matters, especially if it is eating at you every time you see them, it is necessary to approach the person, 

sort it out and then let it go for good.

"He who covers a transgression SEEKS LOVE, 

But he who repeats a matter separates friends" (God is Love) Proverbs 17:9

Easier said than done! Pride in pocket it can be a release to great healing for you and for the other person.

I was in a situation where I, disobedient and keeping quiet, rather cut myself off from a friend completely. When I eventually, persuaded by the Holy Spirit, approached her and asked her forgiveness for treating her like an outcast and also so suddenly, she asked me WHY? and this is the area where she also received her healing... because it was something she herself is struggling with and no one has ever really told her! She then later came to me saying, but if this offended you, how many others might I not have offended by this weakness?

Iron sharpens iron ... so the church restores itself... 

Before I went to speak to her I told myself...well, she might not accept my apology... what then?  Well, I've taken responsibility for my behavior and apologized, how she reacts to it is her responsibility. Thank God she forgave quickly and a little while later said that it was like a fresh breath of air to her ... she is so precious to God  and He wants her to be free from this habitual characteristic that keep people distant. If you're not told the truth in love, you won't know. The way you think you come across and the way people receive you can be worlds apart. We as the church have a responsibility towards each other. I am so thankful for the healing I received that morning and will do my best, regardless of how I FEEL, to be quick to listen to the Holy Spirit to sort the matter out before doing any damage to the relationship. She asked me...well since when has the Spirit been speaking to you?...and I said, well quite a while, I decided to listen!  Not a proud moment...

Don't be stupid. Listen to the Spirit, Obey quickly.

Let us not give the devil a foothold and allow him into the vineyard. He is a destroyer.

The prayer of my heart is that we Love each other where we are at 

and ask the Holy Spirit to show us what and where our relationships need mending. 

Don't be oversensitive and easily offended. 

Be only sensitive to the Holy Spirit guiding you.

Much Love

Riska