Relationships are a cornerstone of our lives, but they can also be sources of pain and conflict. Join us as we look into the scriptures that offer guidance and hope for struggling relationships, providing wisdom on forgiveness, reconciliation, and the transformative power of love to heal and restore even the most broken of bonds.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Questioning Everything
Bible Verses About Struggling Relationships
Genesis 2:18
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of having a suitable companion in life. It reminds us that relationships are meant to bring support and companionship.
When relationships are struggling, it is essential to seek guidance and support from God, who can provide wisdom and understanding in finding the right solutions.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
This verse reminds us of the power of our words in influencing the course of a relationship. Choosing our words carefully and responding with kindness can help diffuse tense situations and promote understanding.
In times of conflict, it is essential to exercise patience and strive for peaceful resolutions, rather than allowing anger to escalate the situation.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
This verse highlights the importance of being peacemakers in our relationships. Striving for peace and harmony not only reflects the character of God but also brings blessings and a sense of belonging to God’s family.
In struggling relationships, the role of a peacemaker is crucial in reconciling differences and fostering understanding.
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.
This passage from Corinthians provides a comprehensive description of what love should look like in our relationships. It reminds us that love is not simply a feeling but a deliberate choice to treat others with kindness, patience, and forgiveness.
When relationships are struggling, returning to the foundation of love can help us navigate through difficulties and rebuild trust and intimacy.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
This verse highlights the importance of loyalty and support in relationships, especially during difficult times. It reminds us that true friends are there for us when we need them the most.
In struggling relationships, it is important to assess whether the individuals involved are truly supportive and have each other’s best interests at heart.
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
This verse emphasizes the power of our words in shaping the atmosphere of our relationships. It urges us to use our speech for edification and encouragement, rather than tearing each other down.
In struggling relationships, being mindful of our words and choosing to speak life and grace can help foster an environment of healing and growth.
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 teaches us the importance of discerning and cultivating healthy relationships. It reminds us that true friends are reliable and loyal, willing to support us through thick and thin.
In struggling relationships, it might be necessary to evaluate whether the connection is truly beneficial and whether it fosters mutual growth and support.
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
This verse encourages us to demonstrate compassion and empathy towards one another in our relationships. By sharing each other’s burdens, we fulfill the commandment of Christ to love and support one another.
In struggling relationships, practicing empathy and actively seeking to understand each other’s perspectives can lay the foundation for healing and reconciliation.
James 1:19
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
This verse provides practical wisdom for handling conflicts in relationships. It advises us to listen attentively, think before we speak, and control our anger.
In struggling relationships, actively practicing these qualities can help create an environment where both parties feel heard and respected.
Proverbs 16:28
A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
This verse warns us about the destructive power of gossip and deceit in relationships. It reminds us that dishonesty and slander can break down trust and harm the bonds between friends or loved ones.
In struggling relationships, it is important to prioritize honesty and integrity, ensuring that communication is based on truth and openness.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
This verse highlights the power of love in overcoming the challenges and flaws within our relationships. Love has the ability to forgive and move beyond offenses, providing a path towards healing and restoration.
In struggling relationships, choosing to love unconditionally, regardless of past mistakes, is a key ingredient in enabling reconciliation and growth.
Proverbs 12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
This verse demonstrates the impact of our words on relationships. Thoughtless and hurtful words can damage, while wise and comforting words can bring healing.
In struggling relationships, it is crucial to use words that build up and speak truth in love, creating an environment where wounds can be healed and hearts can be reconciled.
Colossians 3:13
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
This verse encourages forgiveness as an essential component of our relationships. Just as God has forgiven us, we are called to extend that same forgiveness to others.
In struggling relationships, forgiveness plays a vital role in releasing past hurts and creating a fresh start, allowing for growth and reconciliation.
Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
This verse teaches the importance of showing kindness and compassion, even to those who may have hurt us. By responding with kindness, we can disarm animosity and allow the potential for reconciliation.
In struggling relationships, extending acts of kindness and grace can lead to transformation and restoration.
James 4:1-2
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
This passage provides insight into the root causes of conflicts in relationships. It reminds us that self-centered desires and unmet needs can give rise to tensions and disagreements.
In struggling relationships, understanding the underlying desires and needs of both parties is crucial in working towards reconciliation and finding common ground.
Romans 12:18
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
This verse encourages us to prioritize peace and strive for reconciliation in our relationships. It reminds us to take responsibility for our actions and attitudes in order to foster harmony.
In struggling relationships, taking the initiative to seek peace can pave the way for healing and restoration.
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 showing kindness and compassion towards others. It reminds us that our treatment of others, including our neighbors, directly reflects our character.
In struggling relationships, choosing to be generous in our words and actions can catalyze healing and reconciliation.
Matthew 7:12
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
This verse, often referred to as the Golden Rule, teaches us to treat others with the same kindness and respect that we desire for ourselves. It serves as a guiding principle for all our relationships.
In struggling relationships, applying the Golden Rule can bring about empathy and understanding, leading to restoration and growth.
2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
This verse calls us to pursue restoration, unity, and peace in our relationships. It reminds us of the presence and power of God when we strive for harmony and reconciliation.
In struggling relationships, focusing on restoration and seeking common ground can pave the way for healing and renewed connection.
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
This verse highlights the value of healthy and supportive relationships in our growth and development. It emphasizes the role of others in challenging, sharpening, and refining us.
In struggling relationships, recognizing the potential for growth and mutual sharpening can motivate us to invest in repairing and strengthening the connection.
Proverbs 13:20
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
This verse reminds us of the influence that our relationships have on our lives. It encourages us to choose our companions wisely, as they shape our character and impact our well-being.
In struggling relationships, it is important to assess whether the connection is fostering growth and wisdom or if it is detrimental to our emotional and spiritual health.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
This verse emphasizes the importance of encouragement in our relationships. It encourages us to uplift, strengthen, and build one another up through our words and actions.
In struggling relationships, intentionally speaking words of encouragement and affirmation can bring healing and reignite hope in the midst of challenges.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
This verse highlights the power of confession and prayer in our relationships. It acknowledges the significance of vulnerability and seeking God’s intervention for healing and restoration.
In struggling relationships, humbly admitting our faults and seeking forgiveness can open the door for growth and reconciliation.
Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
This verse provides a framework for addressing conflicts and grievances in our relationships. It encourages direct communication and seeking resolution in a private and respectful manner.
In struggling relationships, initiating open and honest conversations can provide an opportunity for understanding, empathy, and reconciliation.
Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
This verse reminds us of the importance of honest feedback and constructive criticism from trusted friends. It emphasizes the value of genuine care and concern, even when it involves difficult conversations.
In struggling relationships, receiving and offering feedback with humility and love can foster growth and understanding.
What Does the Bible Say About Struggling Relationships?
When it comes to struggling relationships, the Bible provides us with guidance and wisdom on how to navigate through these challenges. The Bible emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, patience, and love in our relationships.
In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus teaches us about the power of forgiveness, telling us to forgive not just seven times, but seventy-seven times. This shows us that forgiveness is an essential aspect of maintaining healthy relationships, even in the face of repeated struggles.
Ephesians 4:2-3 urges us to be humble, gentle, patient, and to bear with one another in love, striving to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. This teaches us the importance of exercising humility and patience in our relationships, especially during difficult times.
Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes the characteristics of love, highlighting its enduring nature, patience, and forgiveness. This serves as a reminder for us to demonstrate love in our relationships, even when they are challenging.
In addition, the Bible encourages us to seek wise counsel when facing relationship struggles. Proverbs 15:22 tells us that plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed. Seeking counsel from trusted individuals or mentors can provide us with valuable insights and perspectives on how to address and overcome relational difficulties.
In times of struggling relationships, the Bible reminds us to rely on God and seek His guidance through prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to bring our concerns to God in prayer, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
As we face relationship struggles, let us turn to the wisdom and guidance found in the Bible, trusting in God’s ability to restore and strengthen our relationships as we apply His principles to our lives.