Embracing Friendship Seasons By Isioma Martins

When we fall out with a friend(s), it may seem like it is impossible to mend the relationship. The truth is that some friendships are destined to stay broken while some are worth putting back together. When we can mend our relationships, it gives us a perspective on our experiences and makes us better for them.

Do you have a long-lost relationship you would like to mend? Is a meaningful reconnection possible?

The first to consider when thinking about mending a broken relationship is to examine what made it fall apart in the first place. Was it an unhealthy, unbalanced relationship? Gaining clarity on this will help you decide on whether you should make moves to restore it.

The next thing to consider is reaching out. A simple message saying “How have you been? I hope you and your family are doing well” will suffice. At this point, you are just testing the waters to see if your friend will respond and is willing to seek resolution as well.

There can be no way forward without forgiveness. Forgiveness by both parties puts an end to it all. You need to set aside your pride to assess the situation from all sides. The truth is that when relationships fail, it is never 100% one person’s fault. With this in mind, you will be able to honestly accept any faults on your part that led to a break in the friendship.

Knowing what went wrong will, besides showing you if the relationship is worth saving, also help you avoid repeating the problem in the future. Talk about the problem together, don’t shy away from it. If you can get through this, your friendship will come out stronger.

Remember that not all friendships are worth saving, and even some that are, cannot be saved because it takes two people to build and maintain a friendship, and it also takes two people to repair one that’s been broken. If only one party (you) is willing to do the work of bringing the friendship back, the restoration will be impossible.

“People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person….” - (Unknown)

Embracing the reality that you will have different types of friends in your life and that you too will be a different type of friend to others, will take a lot of pressure off you and help you to be less anxious about friendships.

Prayer Moment

• Thank You heavenly father for the gift of reconciliation. Thank you because no relationship is beyond your healing power. Help me to work towards peace and restoration of relationships that have become strained.

• I declare that I have peace in all my relationships. Bless me with your love that I may love others who have hurt me.

• For lost relationships, Lord I ask for strength to let go and move on. I understand that there are friends for reasons and seasons. Help me to be grateful for the time I had with them, and Lord bless them as they move on, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Think Over it
What is God saying to me today?