Have you lost a relationship or experienced a painful breakup lately? Have you lost a friend? Are you disconnected from one of your children or from your parents? I’m so sorry. I’m praying for you to experience God’s comfort and healing in Jesus’s name.

The Myth and Truth of Broken Relationships

There is a myth that broken relationships happen because people aren’t committed these days. We don’t take our relationships seriously enough or keep the promises we make to each other.

But, broken relationships have been an issue for us forever (see Genesis 3). People are complex, which is wonderful because it makes us interesting and attractive to each other. But it’s hard to connect well or stay connected with each other at times, especially when our differences clash. The struggle is multiplied by the reality that deep inside, we’re all self-serving, at times selfish,  and easily resort to manipulation to get our way.

The Bible demonstrates that our broken human relationships expose our broken relationship with God. Sin creates division between God and us, as well as between us humans with one another. Sin even harms our relationship with nature. Conversely, when our relationship with God is healed, our relationship with others is healed as well. Jesus came to heal the most important relationship of all (John 14:6-7), to bring us in unity with our Creator (John 14:10-11), and to leave us the Spirit to guide us in the way of love (John 15:12-13). He promises to give us a new heart (see Ezekiel 36:26) and the gift of the Spirit of truth (see John 14:16-17).

The Path to Healing

The path to healing begins by our willingness and eagerness to FIRST go to God or return to God. As we follow Jesus and build a deeper relationship with our Creator, He will transform us. The “God of all comfort” will attend to our wounds, disappointments, and fears (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). The fruit of the Spirit will equip us with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). 

God does not promise that we will not have difficult relationships. He does not guarantee that others will not hurt or disappoint us. The One who was rejected, betrayed, spit upon, and beaten promises to be with us, walk with us, and heal us.

This truth perhaps led the Apostle Paul, who also had his share of relational struggles, to exclaim: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

Relationships are complex, but God’s posture is singular: love.

“No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13