“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (27:17). To build good relationships you must work through conflict. We are imperfect people and each person has their own unique imperfections. Conflict is therefore unavoidable. This is what makes relationships challenging, and it is also what makes relationships valuable. The more we work through conflict, applying honesty, love and grace, the more we grow in character and the more our relationships deepen. Relationships bring out the best in us, by first bringing out the worst. God often brings us into the kind of relationships that sharpen us. As a result of this providence, you will find in the imperfections of your friend or spouse exactly what will bring your own imperfections to the surface. People often reject relationships that do this, but this is a characteristic of perfect relationships (perfect, that is, for imperfect people). To transform our lives God begins by bringing our imperfections to the surface. We often speak of people being ‘compatible’ with us, and sometimes we mean that they are similar so that there is no conflict. Unfortunately, therefore, we often choose friends who are like us. What good is that? What you need most in your life is people who are different enough from you to compliment and challenge you. God will readily provide such people for you if you will accept them. Be careful though because you may be inclined to reject such people.
Reflect on your closest relationships in the light of this and thank God for the people in your life.
Read Proverbs 27:17-27
