My wife and I made a commitment many years ago to never go to bed with a heartfelt disagreement between us. Most of the time we have kept that commitment. However, there have been times when we haven't kept it. Early in our marriage we had a disagreement over an issue. It was so long ago that I can't remember what the issue was. But I do recall that I felt very strongly that she was wrong and that I was right. I was really upset when we went to bed that night.
The strangest thing
happened as I tried to go to sleep. Now remember, I was completely convinced
that she was wrong and I was right about the argument. But she immediately fell
asleep with the "peace of God that passes all understanding." And I
tossed and turned for hours. I couldn't believe what was happening.
I began arguing with
God. "It's not fair," I said. "She's wrong, and I'm right. Why
does she have such peace, and I'm so miserable?" I reasoned with God that
it should be just the opposite way. However, when I became so tired that I
couldn't argue any more, God began to speak to my heart.
"It's not your wife
that's the problem," He seemed to be saying to my heart. "It's your
attitude."
I was broken. I realized
that my pride had broken my fellowship with my wife and also my Lord. I learned
a great lesson that night - you can't be in fellowship with God and out of
fellowship with your wife. In fact, you can't have intimacy with God and have a
broken relationship with a brother or sister in Christ.
I didn't have peace with God because I didn't have peace with my wife. Finally, I woke her up and said,
"Honey, forgive me. I was the one that was wrong. Please forgive me."
She said,
"Sure," and immediately fell back asleep. And I had peace with God
and restored intimacy with Him.
Many people try to pray,
but seems as though God is far away. Often it's because of our broken
relationships. We no longer have intimate times with God because we must make
some things right with anyone that we've wronged.
Jesus said,
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember
that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of
the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your
gift" (Matt. 5:23, 24 NIV). If we're going to have great power with God,
then we must have great fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Before you go to your
secret closet in prayer, why don't you go to that person with whom your
relationship is strained. It may make a difference in what happens in the
secret place of prayer.
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