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This episode with Heather Margiotta begins as the 2nd part of a 2 part series where we transition from connecting about the tragedy of loss to the love we experience when we interact with difficult people, namely friendships.
Heather recounts a difficult situation with a friend. It’s something that we have all experienced to some degree. You know how it goes…When you recount it, it sounds silly to explain out loud. You see where it’s hard for both people but there’s still mounds of hurt that got piled on that eventually dissolves the friendship. In the end, both Heather and her friend had a broken relationship by choosing their hurts.
Heather and I talk about how time can be a big factor in reconciling hurting or broken friendships. Stepping back and reminding yourself of the good things can help soften your heart toward a difficult person. She also stressed the importance of praying for them but not to mistake this for praying AT them. The slow plodding of enduring patiently is part of the time that it takes to reconcile and heal a relationship.
Heather also mentions the importance of discernment when it comes to entering back into the friendship. Praying for proper timing and understanding of how and when to move forward with a friend is so crucial. Relying on God’s timing makes all the difference with your friend and with your relationship with God.
I ask Heather to speak to the difficult person, the hurt person that’s hurting in a way that comes out as anger or harshness. She gives practical advice to acknowledging your hurting feelings but also recognizing the need for reconciliation. The hurt person who recognizes that they are being difficult can take the time to really think about what and why they are stuck in their hurt. This should lead to proper apologies that come face-to-face (and not just in a text). 🙂
Heather relays that Jesus didn’t give up on difficult people…even when Peter pulled his loyalty away from Jesus and rejected him! Peter held on to his own protection but Jesus forgave him and used him for greatness. The responsibility Jesus left him with showed true reconciliation with their relationship. Whatever was broken was not only healed but made better! What a picture for our own potential relationships! And what a hope we can have with our relationship with Jesus!
When it comes to dire situations with friends: Reach out, let heated situations simmer, and pray pray pray!
Guys, I cannot wait for you to hear how God moved in Heather’s life through prayer! She realized that she was missing out on His presence in the little things in her life so she created a physical prayer wall to see Him move! Literally, when God moved, her post-it notes moved. It showed her that in life, God provides and it was easy to move on. Prayers were answered but not held in thankfulness. But through the prayer wall, Heather was able to see God move and she was able to become thankful for each and every prayer request. On average, 2 prayers a week were answered! Can you believe that God is that big? Heather has a tangible way to say, YES!
Heather wrote a devotional about this very subject, Expecting God to Move. It’s a beautiful compilation of 30 days of connecting with God in a way that shows His presence in your life. Check out her devotional to experience a God who cares, who wants us, and is waiting to reveal how He moves in our lives!
