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When our choices hurt our relationships

February 2, 2022

By Sheryl Boldt Are you in a good place in your relationships with your spouse, children and siblings? Or have your poor choices and behavior affected the closeness you once had with them? Have your choices also changed your relationship with God? We all struggle with behaviors that negatively affect…

By Sheryl Boldt

Are you in a good place in your relationships with your spouse, children and siblings? Or have your poor choices and behavior affected the closeness you once had with them?

Have your choices also changed your relationship with God?

We all struggle with behaviors that negatively affect how we interact with others – and how we interact with God. Why do we give in to these temptations, even when we wish we didn’t?

Is it because we don’t take our addiction, lying, promiscuity seriously enough?

We know we shouldn’t commit a certain act, but we rationalize it away or bargain with ourselves: “Just one more time. Then I’ll repent and never do it again.”

But we do it again. And again. Eventually regret and self-loathing set in, and we plead for God’s mercy. Our mental health takes a beating because we hate ourselves for abusing God’s kindness. Yet we continue our miserable downward spiral.

And all the while, our relationships continue to suffer.

I have an idea for those of us who want to experience genuine change: meditate on God’s Word and practice accountability, but this time focus on the choices we make that specifically affect our relationships.

During the next several weeks, as we celebrate February, the Month of Love, let’s see how much we can grow while meditating on relevant Bible verses. And let’s invite someone to join us on the journey.

Romans 12:2a (ESV) says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

What would happen if we helped each other resist the enemy so that we no longer live as unbelievers, but rather live as God intended for us to live?

As we encourage each other to spend more time in God’s Word, it might become easier for us to be transparent about the areas in which we struggle. And perhaps we’ll come to realize how much accountability can be an effective tool in our arsenal.

What do you think? Might this work for you?

Will you at least pray about it?

Isn’t it time we stop giving in to the sinful or destructive habits we allow to control us? Isn’t it time to allow God’s loving kindness to transform us? Then we can love others in a way that honors Him.

And love our holy, powerful – and amazing God – more purely.

Sheryl H. Boldt writes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. Her weekly devotions have appeared in newspapers across the South since 2014. She is also the author of the blog, www.TodayCanBeDifferent.net. Connect with her at [email protected].

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