Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
We are often reminded that we live in a throw-away-society and our spouses, family, friends, and acquaintances have become just as dispensable. We have become a people who are easily offended and are willing to discard a relationship because of our own wounding. Gen. 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
There is nothing new under the sun here as this is not a modern day phenomena. No, being offended easily has been a source of human tragedy from the beginning. The opportunity to be offended abounds, and in many cases we are the source of our own offence we are experiencing. Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
There is nothing new under the sun here as this is not a modern day phenomena. No, being offended easily has been a source of human tragedy from the beginning. The opportunity to be offended abounds, and in many cases we are the source of our own offence we are experiencing. Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
Years ago my younger brother had decided to leave his wife and two beautiful children. This brought division in the family as it most often does when young children are involved. He could not understand why no one was (as often said by offended people) on his side. There were attempts to explain that the children would be the first concern during this time of turmoil in his separation with his wife and children.
There was no reasoning that could get through to his heart. My brother then cut all contact and communication with the family. Prov.18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Every once and a while my mother would run into him because they lived in the same town, but there was never a desire from him to be with his family. He was right and that was it.
There was no reasoning that could get through to his heart. My brother then cut all contact and communication with the family. Prov.18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Every once and a while my mother would run into him because they lived in the same town, but there was never a desire from him to be with his family. He was right and that was it.
More than a year later I was working in the garden and I asked God what I could do to help reconcile our family to my brother and my brother to his family. I lived in another part of the country and was not sure what I could do.
I heard in my spirit the words, “Send him a postcard on a regular basis expressing your love for him.” I thought of an email and then I heard in my spirit again these words.” People delete emails but they hang on to postcards.” I believed the Spirit of the Lord was guiding me and I got to work on what the Holy Spirit was developing in my heart. 2 Cor. 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
I heard in my spirit the words, “Send him a postcard on a regular basis expressing your love for him.” I thought of an email and then I heard in my spirit again these words.” People delete emails but they hang on to postcards.” I believed the Spirit of the Lord was guiding me and I got to work on what the Holy Spirit was developing in my heart. 2 Cor. 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
My brother, being a good artist influenced the type of postcards that I bought. I got a stack of cards that portrayed paintings of my brother’s favorite artists. With a bit of investigation, I found out what my brother’s address was and began to mail a postcard every week for about five months.
The messages were non-condemning and simply expressed my love for my brother. They simply said, “I saw a painting today that reminded me of you. I love you.” The next card said, “I was in a gallery this week and I saw a painting that reminded me that you are a very talented artist. I love you.” The next card said, “I saw a scene today that you would have no problem painting its beauty. I love you.” Prov. 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. I continued to post a card every week for about five months and never a word of condemnation.
One day my mother phoned me and said that my brother had asked if he could come over for Sunday dinner with her. I had not let anyone in the family know that I was on a postcard love mission from the Lord so I said, “Let me know how dinner goes,” then we prayed together for a blessed time.
That Sunday night my mother phoned me and said their dinner was wonderful and that my brother had softened his heart toward the family, but she could not understand why all he wanted to talk about all evening was me – his older brother. I then explained what the Lord had led me to do. Prov. 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
That Sunday night my mother phoned me and said their dinner was wonderful and that my brother had softened his heart toward the family, but she could not understand why all he wanted to talk about all evening was me – his older brother. I then explained what the Lord had led me to do. Prov. 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Within a short time my brother was reconciled to the family and we to him. He also took responsibility and became a support to his ex-wife and children. The reason this story is important to our family is that a few years later my brother passed away and we were all able to thank God for the short time we had as a family.
What would have been the everlasting hurts had we not reconciled from the offence? The funeral would have been laced with a lot of shoulda, woulda, coulda,
What would have been the everlasting hurts had we not reconciled from the offence? The funeral would have been laced with a lot of shoulda, woulda, coulda,
In Jesus name I ask the Lord for the healing power of God to break the desire for alcohol that your brother is struggling with. I ask in Jesus name the your brother choose the Lord to be LORD of all in his life. I thank you Lord that you have heard Jami's prayers for her brother and I am believing with her for his well being today and for his eternal life. Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
This stirred my heart as this is very close to the way I reached out to my wayward sister. It took a lot of "postcards", but she came back. I did a Bible study with her and God changed her heart. She is now one of my dearest friends. I now need to ask God to help me with my brother. He almost lost his life 2 nights ago during a stent procedure. He is a long time alcoholic whose body and mind are failing.
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