In the last twenty to thirty years, politics have grown increasingly angry, resentful, biased, and stubborn—from both sides of the aisle. Politicians are rarely willing to talk things through to achieve some level of agreement and healthy compromise.
Sadly, they are simply reflecting culture, where personal relationships have become like bipartisan politics with boundaries replacing reconciliation and criticism replacing consideration.
More than ever before, we need to be getting our cues from Scripture, not culture.
Because most relationship problems are built on misunderstandings and poor communication, we should be listening calmly, carefully, and prayerfully to others. We should refuse to judge people based on secondhand information, and we should avoid the exaggeration and self-promotion so prevalent in politics and psychology.
God places a priority on reconciliation (Matthew 5:23-24), and He offers advice throughout Scripture. For example:
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).
Imagine all of the relationships that could be healed by obedience to that single verse!
If you've purchased Wisdom for Life, I suggest you read or re-read Day 33 to reinforce the truths in this devotion.
If we've given our best to reconcile, we may still need to agree to disagree, but we can do it graciously and with a clear conscience. Let's not let the hostile political climate be reflected in our personal relationships.
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If you're married, I encourage you to read Is All Conflict Bad? and Our Words Matter – 26 Scriptures.
Bible Love Notes
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