“You shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in” (Isaiah 58:12 ESV).

The mission of God was carried out when Jesus healed the broken relationship between God and his dearly loved people. We have been reconciled to God in Christ. We are on a mission to bring others to him. We are on a mission to live in harmony with one another along the way.

How can we repair our relationships with others when we fail in our mission?

Really pinpoint the problem. What people argue about is not always what they are mad about. Face this disturbing possibility. Is it me? We are nose blind to our own obnoxiousness. Is there something about me that stinks?

Give it some time but don’t act like everything is fine. Ignoring problems is the recipe for a simmering breach waiting to boil over. And it will boil over.

We need to apologize when we are wrong or maybe just a little wrong. Apologies are unqualified like God’s love is unconditional. I’m sorry—period. Adding but . . . isn’t an apology. It’s an excuse.

Rush to forgive as humbly as Christ has forgiven us. Vaporize grudges so lessons learned don’t become axes to grind later. And don’t trash each other to family and friends. You will get over it before they do.

“Lord, when we are wrong, make us willing to change. When we are right, make us easy to live with.”—Dr. Peter Marshall, former chaplain to the U.S. Senate.