Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Consider

Sooner or later, we each encounter relationships that seem to pack more pain than pleasure. We may endure repeated conflicts with an adult child who lives a troubling lifestyle or with a critical parent who never lets up. We suffer from friendships that turn hostile or loved ones who abuse our trust. A back-biting coworker makes us dread going to work every day.

The stress and uncertainty of such difficult connections can become sore spots that refuse to be healed. Eventually they wear us down, leaving us exhausted, discouraged, and vulnerable to temptation. When pain speaks louder than love, our patience gives way to anger and frustration. Battle tactics rather than Christian values begin to dictate our behavior.

At such times, we may find ourselves heading down a wrong track, away from God and the very resources we need to see us through our difficulty. Although there are no easy answers to difficult relationships, God offers promises that can help us stay on the right track and true to our faith:

• I will never leave you. God never leaves us alone and without help. “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
• I understand your suffering. God grieves over our pain and longs to comfort and help us. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
• I will lead you down the right track. Reading the Bible regularly puts God’s perspective into our minds so that we need not depend on our own wisdom. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• I will forgive your sins and foolish choices. No matter how far off track a bad relationship has taken us, God will always provide a way back. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).
• I will bring good from your suffering. Even our most difficult relationships God will somehow use to bring goodness into our lives. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28).

God doesn’t promise us a life free from suffering. But if we put our hope in him, he does promise to show us how to find peace and joy, even in the midst of a hurtful relationship.

Pray

Faithful Father, there have been certain relationships in my life that are so damaging, I have lost sight of your heart and your desires for me. When I am at my wit’s end with troublesome people, let me lean on your wisdom and strength. Direct my steps, guard my tongue, and keep me from all impurity. Lead me on the sure track that keeps me close to you.

Reflect

Psalm 91:14-15; 147:3; 1 Corinthians 1:7-9

Ponder

How might a hurtful relationship tempt me down the wrong track?