“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke (or shame you) you for asking.” James 1:5
Dear Jesus, thank you for free and full access into your presence, and for the promise and provision of wisdom. Among the arenas of life for which we need wisdom, none is more daily, impactful, and pressing than our relationships. You call us to love others as you love us, Jesus, but sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what that looks like.
But in our confusion, knowing you love us isn’t just a “game changer,” it’s the everything changer. Keep taking us “further up and further in,” for when it comes to the height, depth, width, and breadth of your love, none of us is more than a babe, neophyte, and novice. Hallelujah, and thank you.
But as wisdom needers and seekers, please help us with these relational dynamics and questions, Jesus.
- What does “conflicting redemptively” look like, Jesus? Few of us have grown up knowing how to deal with conflicts “in line with the truth of the Gospel” (Gal.2:14). We know “fight, flight, freezing, and fawning” don’t work. But what does faith expressing itself in love look like when we have strong disagreements and have gotten disconnected from people we truly love?
- How do we validate what our friends and loved ones are feeling, without taking responsibility for their emotions and choices? Show us how to be present without defaulting to fixing, explaining, or offering suggestions that aren’t being asked for.
- Jesus, what is the line between healthy engagement in a challenging relationship, versus getting enmeshed and entangled in counterproductive—even destructive ways?
Back to square one—since all relational health flows out of current, rich, and robust relationship with you, Jesus, on the cusp of Spring 2025, would you please bring us into a renewed and expanded experience of the wonders of your love and the riches of your grace? So Very Amen.
