January 6 Thought for the day...overcoming broken relationships

The holidays are wonderful times of celebration with friends and family. For some, they can also be a trial because we are face to face with loss, past hurts, and broken relationships. Young Timothy had entrusted his life, love, teaching, and intimacy into a group of people only to have them at a difficult point of the ministry walk away. Anyone who has spent any time in ministry has felt this pain. Like a death, broken or abandoned friendship Paul encourages Timothy to push forward.

"And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."  2 Timothy 2:2

Timothy was hurting and broken over broken trust and loss. You may have gone through the same thing last year and the holidays only highlit the hurt. Paul says to Timothy "commit", the idea behind his use of this word is, be devout, tenacious, intentional about coming along side of someone, to stand firm with someone and not let go. Paul is saying I know you have been hurt but you need to stand again and go back into relationships even if you get hurt again. Our faith is about relationships and we must not allow the failure of one group to hinder what God wants to do through and in you.

The word "faithful" is important because of the implication about those who left Timothy. Paul is saying the last group may have been bright, strong, gifted but they lacked the strongest characteristic of being a Christ-follower, faithfulness. Growing in faith is very easy it only requires two things faithfulness and consistency.

Paul's command was to find faithful men. Timothy would have now found this an easier task, all of the unfaithful had left him, there was nothing hidden. I would like you to consider if you have broken relationships that are continuing to drag you down, let them go and build strong relationships with the people in your life that remain! They are still with you. If it is a loss due to death, close your eyes and remember the good, they are with Jesus. They too would want you to build new strong relationships to help you fulfill your destiny. God has chosen to have you here for a purpose.