Are Mutual Understanding and Forgiveness Absolute Needs?

How well do you communicate? Of all the issues that fracture and cause relationship failure, lack of healthy communication is the number one issue. Failure in communication is responsible for not understanding another person’s feelings, thoughts, and needs.

A relationship fractures when two people are not equally yoked in their ability to communicate. Each person experiences frustration, then becomes unapproachable emotionally and withdraws physically. The body language of silence is powerful in its effectiveness.

Failure to communicate causes relationship failure, yet it is possible to speak so problems are solved and intimacy restored. Isaiah 1:18 offers hope: “‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are red as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are as crimson, they shall be as wool.’” The challenge is for mutual understanding and forgiveness to provide restoration and healing.

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If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

~1 Corinthians 13:2 Revised Standard Version

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Restoring a Breach of Faith

Faith has been compared to a star that shows its brightness in the darkest night. Faith builds a bridge to commitment which enforces the determination to serve Christ Jesus. It’s a sad day when a person believes they’ve lost their faith or have willingly cast it aside to go their own way.

The Bible speaks of violating faith, as Moses did by striking a rock in anger instead of speaking to it so water could flow for the people. Any act of disobedience is a breach of faith. However, through confession and repentance, faith can be restored. God offers forgiveness and hope to those who turn back to him.

Listen to Isaiah 1:18. "Come now, let us reason together says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." By focusing on God's word to direct us to Christ Jesus, we receive strength and courage as well as faith to make the commitment.                       

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Our God, no one is like you…you freely forgive our sin and guilt. You don’t stay angry forever; you’re glad to have pity and pleased to be merciful. You will trample on our sins and throw them in the sea. You will keep your word and be faithful.

~Micah 7:18-20 Contemporary English Version

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Impasse Ahead – Let's Talk

Conflict has a way of producing stubbornness, or one could say that stubbornness is responsible for creating or perpetuating disagreements. Conflict is unavoidable and eventually will make its presence known where all relationships exist. Clashes of personalities may result in tension or produce an impasse where hoped-for solutions seem out of sight.

An impasse occurs when a disagreement creates a stalemate. Jerry and Kate could not agree on how to discipline their son. Jerry believed a spanking was in order for severe infringement of rules. Kate either gave their son “time out” or ignored the infringement. Consequently, their fights left their son feeling anxious and guilty for causing so much trouble.

When two people are so stubborn that they refuse to compromise, the relationship may falter or become stagnant. Maturity sees an issue from another's perspective and can choose to follow God’s plan which encourages, "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. Reasoning together builds a bridge to understanding and peace.  

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May God who gives patience, steadiness and encouragement help you to live in complete harmony with each other – each with the attitude of Christ toward the other.

~Romans 15:5 The Living Bible