Enquiring of the Lord in our relationships Part 1.

Hello everybody,

I hope you are well and are still enjoying your summer here in the UK. Over the last few weeks, the Lord has been leading and guiding me in my relationships in a way that has been truly refreshing and wonderful. I wanted to share it with you because I believe it is so simple that we often miss it.

The notion is this: what would happen if we acknowledged Jesus in all our relationships and allowed Him to lead us as we encounter situations and circumstances?

Proverbs 3:5–7 reminds us to acknowledge God in all our ways:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil."

This Scripture has become so real to me over the last few weeks, and God has used it to restore and protect many of the different relationships I have. He has also used it to help me recognise those he desires for me to run with, encourage and walk alongside ( I will share more on this later on in this blog and part 2).

Naturally, most of us have multiple relationships that need tending and nurturing, but how we do this matters because we need to protect and steward the relationships God has given us. Relationships are precious and need different ingredients to make them flourish. They are beautiful, but they are also opposed by the devil, by circumstances, and sometimes by people. On top of that, we are all human.

We are growing in the Lord and maturing, and we all have a past, personalities, challenges and strengths that we bring to each relationship. Let me also share this: Satan does not like godly relationships. He opposes them. Whether that means stopping people from connecting in the first place or, if they do connect, trying to bring fear, accusation, division, or other forms of destruction, his goal is the same.

God, however, brings His love, His presence, His voice, and His Word into the relationships He has ordained for us. He wants those relationships to reflect Him as we love one another and our neighbour. That is why we see Scriptures where He tells us to love and respect one another. For example:

Ephesians 4:2–3

"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Colossians 3:14

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Therefore, a question to ask ourselves is this: Have I considered taking the issues in my relationships to God before I make an assumption, even when it looks like someone is sinning against me?

Proverbs 3:7 talks about not "being wise in our own eyes," but instead considering the Lord and fearing Him. Therefore, those thoughts you have about your mother-in-law, your husband, your wife, your friend, or your church may not even come from you. And even if they do, they may be coming from a broken place, a selfish place, a place of hurt, bitterness, insecurity, or fear.

It might not be how God sees it. Considering the lord and fearing him here refers knowing that God view on the situation is the right one, and also understanding that the way we see things might be wrong. God knows everything and sees everyone’s hearts so he would be able to direct us better than directing ourselves. With that in mind, we need to take our relationships—and those frustrating situations—to the Lord for His interpretation, His opinion, and His Word for that particular circumstance.

It doesn't take long to go somewhere quietly or speak to the Lord in your heart, declaring your confusion, your pain, or asking Him to speak into the situation. Take your heart and mind to Him and to His Word, as we see in Psalm 139:23–24:

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

We need to pray and ask Him to help us walk in love and do things according to His will. We need the Lord to come and show us the right thing to do; the right words to say, and whether we should confront someone or remain silent. God has an opinion about what is going on in your relationships—or rather, God has wisdom and direction concerning our relationships—but we need to be raw, open, and honest with Him.

David says in Psalm 51:6:

"Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part of my heart You will make me know wisdom."

Jesus can be trusted. He will not lead us astray. He will lead us in righteousness, and we will see Him save, restore, and heal our relationships. Psalms 23 reminds us of this:

Psalms 23: 3 “He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

This is crucial, because our lives and relationships are to bring him honour not dishonour. I don’t know about you but that means we need to grow in unity not division in our marriages, friendships, churches, workspaces and many more.

This kind of intimacy helps us remain stable as well, not letting our minds and emotions control us. Instead, running to God and to Scripture which in turn helps our emotions, will heart and mind to submit to Him.

Look out for Part 2 next week, where I will share practical steps on how we can enquire of the Lord.

Love,
Sarah