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READ: ROMANS 12:16-21; EPHESIANS 4:31-32; 2 TIMOTHY 2:22-26\n\n\n\nHave you ever worked on a complex math problem, only to realize that you made a mistake partway through? By the time you get to the end, there\u2019s no fixing it. All you can do is start over from the beginning.\n\n\n\nThe same can be true in our relationships with other people. Sometimes, we realize that a problem has been building and building in our relationship with a friend or family member. And the only way to fix it is to go back to the beginning of the problem.\n\n\n\nOften, this means we\u2019ll have to admit where we did something wrong and apologize. This can be difficult to do, but God is eager to help us. He invites us to admit our sins to Him, remembering that He forgives us, and He helps bring us into right relationship with others.\n\n\n\nHow does God help us in our relationships? Well, through Jesus\u2019s death and resurrection, God made the way to bring us into right relationship with Himself. He forgave our sins, giving us His righteousness and restoring us to friendship with God. And if Jesus restored that relationship, He can help restore our friendships too. Because of His forgiveness, we can admit the things we\u2019ve done wrong, and we can also forgive others for the ways they\u2019ve wronged us.\n\n\n\nSo, when we get into a fight with someone, we can think back to the beginning. We can ask ourselves where we said or did unkind things, and we can ask Jesus to show us how we caused hurt. We can confess our sins to Jesus and rest in His sure forgiveness, and we can also pray for the other person and ask Him to heal the hurts we\u2019ve caused each other. Then, we can go to that person and talk it over. It can be tempting to carry a grudge, but when we rely on Jesus\u2014the ultimate restorer of relationships\u2014we can admit our mistakes and our sins, we can experience forgiveness, and our friendships can be restored. \u2022 A. W. Smith\n\n\n\n\u2022 How can knowing that Jesus restored our relationship with God help us lean on Him to restore our other relationships?\n\n\n\n\u2022 Is there a relationship you\u2019re struggling with? Consider spending some time in prayer, asking Jesus to help you see where you caused hurt and asking Him for forgiveness and healing in that relationship. Remember, forgiving someone doesn\u2019t always mean being in close relationship with them, and full restoration may only come when Jesus returns. If your situation involves a deep hurt, who is a trusted adult in your life who could help you set up loving boundaries?\n\n\n\nAnd the Lord\u2019s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone\u2026not resentful. 2 Timothy 2:24 (NIV)