Relationships are a gift from God, but they aren’t always easy. When they break, the Bible offers guidance for healing and reconciliation. Today, we’ll discuss what Scripture says about mending broken connections.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Broken Promises
What Does The Bible Say About Broken Relationships
Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of true friendship and the support it provides in times of difficulty. A friend’s love is constant, unwavering, and enduring, serving as a source of comfort and strength.
Similarly, a brother’s role goes beyond mere biological ties; they are meant to be a companion in times of adversity, offering support and sharing burdens. This verse emphasizes the importance of nurturing and maintaining healthy relationships, built on love, loyalty, and steadfastness.
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
This verse highlights the significance of forgiveness within relationships. It teaches us that the act of forgiving others is not only a reflection of God’s forgiveness towards us but also a condition for receiving His forgiveness.
Forgiveness is essential for the healing of broken relationships, as it allows for reconciliation, restoration, and the rebuilding of trust. This verse reminds us of the transformative power of forgiveness and encourages us to extend grace and mercy towards others, just as we have received it from our heavenly Father.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
These verses from the famous “love chapter” in Corinthians demonstrate the characteristics and qualities of true love. Love, as described here, serves as the foundation for healthy relationships.
When faced with broken relationships, these verses provide a guide for rebuilding and restoring trust. Patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, and honesty are crucial aspects of love that can help mend and strengthen relationships. By embodying these qualities, we can foster an environment of love and create opportunities for reconciliation.
Proverbs 18:24
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of discernment in choosing friends. It warns against relying on unreliable friends who can lead us astray and bring harm to our lives.
However, the verse also assures us that there is a rare and precious kind of friend, one who stands by us through thick and thin, closer than even a biological brother. Cultivating such relationships can bring immense support, comfort, and stability to our lives, particularly during times of brokenness and difficulty.
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse emphasizes the power of gentle and tactful communication in resolving conflicts and healing broken relationships. Responding to anger or hostility with kindness and understanding can defuse tension, promote understanding, and foster reconciliation.
Conversely, responding with harsh words or retaliation only fuels the fire of anger, escalates conflicts, and further damages relationships. This verse encourages us to choose our words carefully, speaking with gentleness and empathy, even in the midst of difficult conversations.
Matthew 18:15
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.”
This verse offers guidance on how to address and resolve conflicts within relationships. It emphasizes the importance of addressing issues directly, but also privately and with grace. Rather than gossiping or holding grudges, we are encouraged to confront the issue respectfully and seek resolution.
This approach allows for open communication, understanding, and the potential for reconciliation. By approaching the situation with humility and love, we create an atmosphere that fosters healing and growth within the relationship.
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
This verse reminds us of our responsibility in maintaining healthy relationships. By supporting and assisting one another, particularly during times of brokenness and hardship, we fulfill Christ’s commandment to love one another.
Reaching out to others, empathizing with their struggles, and offering a helping hand can help restore trust, build stronger bonds, and demonstrate the love of God. This verse encourages us to show genuine care for one another and actively participate in the healing and restoration of broken relationships.
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
This verse underscores the profound impact our words can have on others. Words spoken recklessly, without thought or consideration, can cause deep wounds and further damage already broken relationships.
Conversely, wise and thoughtful words have the power to bring healing, reconciliation, and restoration. The verse encourages us to choose our words wisely, understanding that they have the potential to either harm or bring about positive change in our relationships.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
This verse encompasses the attitude we should cultivate within our relationships. Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness play crucial roles in healing and restoring broken relationships.
By extending grace and forgiveness to others, we mirror the forgiveness we have received from God through Jesus Christ. As recipients of God’s mercy, we are called to reflect that same mercy and forgiveness towards others, paving the way for reconciliation and the rebuilding of damaged relationships.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse highlights the importance of having a positive and loving attitude towards others, even during times of brokenness. It reminds us that despising or showing contempt towards others only serves to deepen the divide and hinder the healing process.
Instead, we are encouraged to be generous, compassionate, and considerate, particularly towards those in need. By showing love and kindness to our neighbors, we create an environment conducive to healing and restoration in our relationships.
James 3:18
“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
This verse speaks to the vital role of peacemakers in repairing and rebuilding broken relationships. Peacemakers actively work towards resolving conflicts, promoting harmony, and fostering reconciliation.
Those who engage in the process of reconciliation with a peaceful and righteous attitude will experience the fruits of their efforts. A harvest of righteousness refers to the blessings and benefits that arise from the restoration of broken relationships, including personal growth, healing, and the strengthening of bonds.
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
This verse highlights the transformative power of kind and gracious words in the healing process of broken relationships. Just as honey is sweet and brings comfort, gracious words have the ability to soothe and uplift the soul.
When we speak with kindness, empathy, and understanding, we provide healing and restoration to those affected by broken relationships. Our words have the potential to mend wounds, rebuild trust, and create an environment conducive to reconciliation and growth.
Colossians 3:12-14
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
These verses provide a comprehensive guideline for nurturing healthy relationships and repairing broken ones. They encourage us to embody qualities such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Forgiveness is also emphasized, reminding us to forgive others just as we have been forgiven by God. Ultimately, love serves as the overarching virtue that binds all these qualities together, promoting unity, healing, and restoration in our relationships.
Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
This verse encourages us to strive for peace within our relationships, even amidst brokenness and conflict. It reminds us of our individual responsibility to pursue reconciliation and restoration.
While we cannot control the actions and responses of others, we are urged to do our part in creating an atmosphere of peace and understanding. By demonstrating love, forgiveness, and humility, we contribute to the healing process and open the door to the possibility of reconciliation.
Proverbs 27:6
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
This verse speaks to the importance of genuine and honest friendships in our lives. True friends are willing to speak the truth, even when it may be difficult to hear. Their words, though they may sometimes wound, can be trusted as acts of love and concern.
In contrast, those who flatter and deceive, pretending to be friends while harboring ill intentions, can cause more harm than good. These false friendships hinder the process of healing and restoration. This verse urges us to value and cherish genuine friendships that contribute to our growth and well-being.
Proverbs 15:18
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
This verse highlights the destructive power of anger and impulsive reactions within relationships. A hot-tempered person tends to provoke conflicts and further worsen broken relationships.
On the other hand, patience and self-control can calm a quarrel and contribute to the resolution of conflicts. This verse encourages us to cultivate patience, empathy, and understanding, allowing for open and constructive dialogue in the face of brokenness and conflict.
Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
This verse emphasizes the priority of reconciliation within our relationships. It suggests that our worship and relationship with God are hindered when there is brokenness between us and others.
Before presenting our offerings or seeking to deepen our relationship with God, we are encouraged to seek reconciliation and restoration within our broken relationships. This verse underscores the importance of forgiveness, humility, and actively pursuing peace with others.
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
This conversation between Peter and Jesus highlights the infinite nature of forgiveness. It teaches us that forgiveness should not be limited or measured by a specific number, but rather be offered generously and without end.
Forgiveness is an essential aspect of healing broken relationships. By extending forgiveness repeatedly, we demonstrate love, grace, and the desire for reconciliation, fostering an environment of healing and restoration.
Proverbs 16:28
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
This verse warns against engaging in gossip or spreading rumors, particularly within the context of broken relationships. Gossip can exacerbate conflicts and create division, ultimately leading to the separation of close friends.
Instead, we are encouraged to pursue reconciliation, open communication, and direct conversations that promote understanding and unity. By avoiding gossip and focusing on healthy dialogue, we contribute to the restoration and rebuilding of broken relationships.
Ephesians 4:26-27
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
These verses caution against allowing anger to fester and linger within our relationships. While anger is a natural emotion, it is important to deal with it in a healthy and timely manner.
Unresolved anger can lead to bitterness, resentment, and the further deterioration of relationships. By aiming to resolve conflicts before the day’s end and addressing our anger constructively, we prevent the enemy from gaining a foothold in our relationships.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
This verse highlights the significance of companionship and support within relationships. Having a partner to share life’s joys, burdens, and challenges with is invaluable.
In times of brokenness, having someone to lean on, lift us up, and offer guidance provides immense comfort and strength. This verse encourages us to cherish and nurture our relationships, recognizing the mutual benefit and support they provide in times of need.
Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
This verse speaks to the potential of relationships to shape and refine us. Just as iron sharpens iron through friction, our interactions with others can lead to personal growth, character development, and a change for the better.
During periods of brokenness, these relationships become even more critical, as they can challenge and encourage us to grow through our struggles. This verse reminds us of the transformative power of relationships and the importance of seeking out healthy connections within our lives.