I was listening to the local Christian radio on the way to work this morning, and they were interviewing Anne Graham Lotz  about her newest book, The Magnificent Obsession. Anne was talking about her book, using the examples of the two Biblical characters, Abraham and Hagar, and it just totally caught my attention. Especially, the story with Hagar. Well, some of you already know the story, but let me summarize the story for those who don’t. 

God called Abraham out from his country, and made a promise to Abraham that from him He will make a great nation, and his descendants will be like stars in the sky, or sands in the shore. At that time, Abraham married to Sarah and they did not have any children. Instead of waiting on the Lord, they brought the matter in their hands. Abraham had a child with Hagar, Sarah’s maid.  But from that point, Sarah mistreated Hagar. It must had been tough for Hagar, to the point that  had to run away with her pregnant child. In the dessert, God saw Hagar and reached out for her.  He had a conversation with Hagar, and let her see the solution was to fix the problem, not running away from it.  God made a promise to Hagar that He will multiply her descendant as well.  Hagar obeyed God and returned home, and gave birth to Ishmael.  (from Genesis 12, 15, 16)

I have heard many stories, as well of having friends who are being hurt just as  Hagar was. It’s sad to see that  many problems, and heartbrokens were caused by none other than fellow Christians. People left their church. Some abandon friends.  Church is not perfect as we often think of. Conflict will happen anywhere, and church is no exception.  What caught my attention in this story is how God wanted Hagar to deal with her situation. Our God is God of love;  He  is sensitive to our feeling. I imagine it probably was like therapy session, that Hagar let loose, and poured out her heart to God. Then, He gently offered the solution. God’s solution is not a try-and-see if it would help. But it will work, and then there is reward that comes along for obeyed His instruction. His solution might not be easy to do, but it’s the only right solution to fix the problem. In this case of Hagar, God solution was “Go back” and “submit.”

That’s right! God’s solution is not “let ignore it and it will go away“, or “let time heals it.” It is not finding another church, another group, or another pastor. God’s solution is not to distance self from the broken relationship but to mend it. He sends us to go back, but this time He is with us; His promise that He will make it work.

My prayer is to friends and to people who had their hearts broken due to conflict with other friends, spouse, fellow Christians, or the church. I pray that you will find the solution from your one-on-one session with God, and experience God’s blessing from doing what is right to mend the relationship, to fix the broken hearts, of your and others. May You experience His abundant love, peace, grace and blessing. God is calling out to you “Come home!” He will make it work. Somehow. Some way. But He definitely will!