first… vent to god
This week, I was talking to my family member about their child and their child’s partner, and they started revealing all the negative aspects of “the partner” and how they have been treating their child. Instantly it left a view and perspective of this person that I did not so like, and I started to pass remarks that I maybe should have swallowed.
As the days went by, out of no where that conversation flashed back into my mind and thought about myself and my own marriage. I started to think of times where both my husband and I have vented to family members when we have been faced with troubling times and I know the impression we left on the listening ears was the same as the impression that was left on my listening ear, if not worst. And in all honesty I have seen a change in certain dynamics as a result of it.
As I laid in bed doing my nightly read, I came across Proverbs 17:9
“He who covers a transgression seeks love… BUT he who repeats a matter separates friends”.
I paused as I remembered the conversation that I had this week with my family member and then I swiftly remembered my husband and I. Sometimes in the heat of the moment we are all too quick to indulge and vent to listening ears about the problems we are having with others, forgetting that whatever we share may have an impact on the relationship that person has with whom we are venting to and create a negative, lasting impression that won’t necessary change even after your issue with them have resolved.
How many times when situations occur with other do we rather expose it, hold a grudge, say we forgive but not really forgive because we still go over the situations to ourself and with others? However the psalmist encourages us, to forgive and move on from the wrongdoing that others has done and done REPEAT it to others. Implying that showing forgiveness and understanding fosters love and harmony in relationships.
Matthew 18:15 states IF your brother sins against you, GO AND TELL HIM his fault BETWEEN YOU AND HIM …ALONE.
Though it goes on to say that if, when you have initially confronted your brother and they will not listen then go and call one or two others to go back and speak your case against him however it firstly says in layman terms :- GO TO YOUR BROTHER AND TELL HIM YOUR ISSUE WITH HIM FIRST BEFORE YOU GO VENTING TO HE SHE AND THE OLD LADY.!
The amount of relationships, friendships, family unions that would be saved if only we would speak directly to our offender rather than to gossip and “vent” to everyone else.
I think it is important that we adopt a mentality of venting to God first about the difficulties we face with others. As we not only can we not separate God from them but He will give us wisdom in how to handle the situation giving us peace and a heart willing to forgive.
LORD when we are facing difficulties with our loved ones help us to vent to you first about our feelings and the situation at hand. Not only give us wisdom to address the situation at hand with the other person but a heart willing to forgive just as you forgive us.
Have a wonderful week
Your Sis Renee
