As Iron Sharpens Iron

I have an individual in my life whom I have a love hate relationship with.

This individual is a good friend, but on multiple occasions this person has stabbed me in the back, usually by running to my boss about some minor oversight. I wish at times I could escape her, but she lives at my workplace and it is not possible.

It got so bad at one point, her family actually apologized to me for her perfectionistic demands.

There are days I want nothing to do with this individual or wish I could outrun her, but it’s not possible.

I find just as I begin to lower my defenses, another issue pops up and we repeat the cycle. The other week, my resentment was at an all time high and I cried out to the Lord to help me.

I asked the Lord how many times must I forgive, before the process repeats itself.

I was reminded of Jesus words to Peter when asked about forgiveness. Jesus said, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven.”  {Matthew 18:22}

As I prayed about the situation and how to deal with this individual, I felt the Lord whispering to me “as iron sharpens iron”.

Solomon wrote “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”. {Proverbs 27:17}

The Lord was reminding me this person is in my life for a reason and we are sharpening one another to become better people. 

Is there someone in your life who sharpens you?

Pictures from Pixabay.com