When we start a new topic, sometimes it brings up big questions that need to be answered. Thankfully we have an even bigger God, and all we need to do is look to His Word for those answers.
The question I’ve been getting lately is this…
Can God restore my relationship?
The uncomplicated answer to that is yes. God can restore relationships because He can do anything.
Our Heavenly Father is a God of restoration. When we look at Romans 5:10, we see that God actually restored our relationship to Him through the death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ.
“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. We were enemies of God through sin. And through Jesus God restored our relationship to Him.” Romans 5:10 NLT
So yes, God can restore relationships, and restoration is part of His plan.
But we need to remember this. There are 3 parts to God’s restoration. God desires to restore relationships through His way, in His timing, and for His purposes.
God desires to restore relationships through His way.
When I want to see a relationship restored, I have my own reasons. So many times I try to take control of the situation. I want a relationship to work so badly, that even if that person is not acting like they want the relationship to be restored, I will do anything to make it happen. I try so hard to fix it on my own!
I’ve learned from experience that if I will take a step back, and let God do it His way, not only does He get glorified, but it always turns out better than when I try to fix it. So what if we take that step back and feel like nothing is changing? We need to trust God’s plan.
He always wants the best for us, as He will keep us away from harm for our own protection and spiritual growth. We can trust His promises, and also His process.
God desires to restore in His timing.
God’s timing is so vastly different from our own, that we can’t even fathom it.
How many of us have an experience, maybe with our own family or a friend, where someone desired to see a relationship restored, but that didn’t happen for 20 years, or even longer?
Sometimes relationships aren’t restored until a person’s last moments on this earth. Sometimes, we don’t get to see that relationship restored, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t working to draw His children closer to Him.
When we remember that God’s timing is different from our own, we won’t have the tendency to say we wished it had happened sooner, because we can rejoice in the fact that we will have all eternity to enjoy the restoration God gives.
God desires to see restoration for His purposes.
We know that God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) That tells us God is working everything together for our good right now.
If we’ve been praying for restoration and it hasn’t happened yet, there’s a reason. We need to trust in that. Remember, God’s ways and purposes are better than our own.
So, that brings up another question.
If God already knows when, where, and if my relationship will be restored, do I need to keep praying? Sometimes it hurts holding onto that promise of restoration every day.
I pray this thought will help us as we navigate the difficult path of waiting.
We can let go of the expectations for restoration without letting go of the hope.
Hope is a gift from God. It’s uplifting and will help breathe life into our day when we feel the emptiness or loneliness from seeking restoration. But expectations can be exhausting. We can go about our daily lives holding onto hope without the expectation that it’s going to happen in our way, or in our timing.
Trusting God with you today that He will restore according to His will and not our own. Know sweet sister that without a doubt God is working all things together for your good, whether or not that includes a restored relationship.
Rest in that truth today.
Disclaimer: Today’s post is offered as a short study about restoration, and is not intended as professional advice for relationship counseling. If you or someone you know is in a harmful relationship, please seek out a local ministry or counseling center for help. You can also find help at Focus on the Family by clicking here.
