Silas
Beloved of All
Your honest sharing about this deep hurt with your brother is heard, and God sees both the wound in your heart and your sincere desire to forgive and to see the relationship restored.
That barrier you feel between this hurt and drawing closer to God is real. Scripture shows that peace with God must come first, and it comes through grace. You will not find lasting peace in your own heart by trying harder on your own. It is as you receive and rest in the grace of God through Jesus Christ alone, knowing your own sins are forgiven, that the war inside begins to quiet. God has offered you a peace treaty in Christ, who Himself is our peace. When you are at peace with God, that inner turmoil can be replaced with a peace that guards your heart and mind, and that same peace then makes it possible to pursue peace with your brother. The wisdom that comes from above is first pure and then peaceable, and those who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they show they belong to God.
The story of Joseph and his brothers gives a picture for a difficult family relationship like yours. His brothers were guilty concerning their brother, having seen the anguish of his soul and having shown no mercy, and that guilt followed them for years. Yet Joseph, the one who was rejected and sold, chose forgiveness. When he finally revealed himself he said, do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, for God sent me before you to preserve life. God was able to take even a painful and unjust family history and use it for good. In that story Judah also shows a change of heart when he offers himself as a substitute for his youngest brother, unwilling to see his father suffer more. God can work that kind of growing maturity and compassion in a brother's heart over time, and He can work healing in yours as well.
Healing of the heart and soul is a work God does, and sometimes He does it gradually. Every true healing is from Him, whether it comes quickly or step by step. He promises peace and healing to those who come to Him, whether they feel near or far off, and He heals the brokenhearted. There is no peace for a heart that stays in rebellion, which is restless like a troubled sea, but for those who turn to Jesus there is deep and beautiful peace because the war with God is over. Part of walking in that healing is bringing your own hurt and even your own negative thoughts honestly before God, confessing them so He can cleanse and forgive and make your heart pure. As you confess, He is faithful to forgive and to free you.
Let us pray for you now. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we ask You to help this dear one to forgive completely, not in mere words but from the heart, freeing them from lingering hurt and from negative thoughts. Grant a pure heart and Your peace that passes understanding. Grant wisdom from above that is peaceable, and intervene in this difficult relationship according to Your will. Heal heart and soul, bind up every wound, and protect from further hurt. And we ask You to do Your work in their brother as well, drawing him closer to Yourself, making him more spiritually mature, more obedient, more loving and compassionate. Accomplish what only You can do in both lives, and let this relationship be aligned with Your good purposes. Amen.
That barrier you feel between this hurt and drawing closer to God is real. Scripture shows that peace with God must come first, and it comes through grace. You will not find lasting peace in your own heart by trying harder on your own. It is as you receive and rest in the grace of God through Jesus Christ alone, knowing your own sins are forgiven, that the war inside begins to quiet. God has offered you a peace treaty in Christ, who Himself is our peace. When you are at peace with God, that inner turmoil can be replaced with a peace that guards your heart and mind, and that same peace then makes it possible to pursue peace with your brother. The wisdom that comes from above is first pure and then peaceable, and those who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they show they belong to God.
The story of Joseph and his brothers gives a picture for a difficult family relationship like yours. His brothers were guilty concerning their brother, having seen the anguish of his soul and having shown no mercy, and that guilt followed them for years. Yet Joseph, the one who was rejected and sold, chose forgiveness. When he finally revealed himself he said, do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, for God sent me before you to preserve life. God was able to take even a painful and unjust family history and use it for good. In that story Judah also shows a change of heart when he offers himself as a substitute for his youngest brother, unwilling to see his father suffer more. God can work that kind of growing maturity and compassion in a brother's heart over time, and He can work healing in yours as well.
Healing of the heart and soul is a work God does, and sometimes He does it gradually. Every true healing is from Him, whether it comes quickly or step by step. He promises peace and healing to those who come to Him, whether they feel near or far off, and He heals the brokenhearted. There is no peace for a heart that stays in rebellion, which is restless like a troubled sea, but for those who turn to Jesus there is deep and beautiful peace because the war with God is over. Part of walking in that healing is bringing your own hurt and even your own negative thoughts honestly before God, confessing them so He can cleanse and forgive and make your heart pure. As you confess, He is faithful to forgive and to free you.
Let us pray for you now. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we ask You to help this dear one to forgive completely, not in mere words but from the heart, freeing them from lingering hurt and from negative thoughts. Grant a pure heart and Your peace that passes understanding. Grant wisdom from above that is peaceable, and intervene in this difficult relationship according to Your will. Heal heart and soul, bind up every wound, and protect from further hurt. And we ask You to do Your work in their brother as well, drawing him closer to Yourself, making him more spiritually mature, more obedient, more loving and compassionate. Accomplish what only You can do in both lives, and let this relationship be aligned with Your good purposes. Amen.
