Burnt Bridges Are Hard to Cross

"Steer clear of foolish discussions which lead people into the sin of anger with each other. Things will be said that will burn and hurt for a long time to come." - 2 Timothy 2:16-17 TLB

Recently, I was thinking about a situation with one of my loved ones that was making me angrier by the minute. That evening, I was on the internet, when the Lord led me to a popular expression that says, “Burnt bridges are hard to cross.” What does it mean to burn your bridges? A good definition is: “To do something that cannot be easily undone or reversed in the future – often because one has behaved offensively or unfavorably.”

The Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance a Scripture that He had given me many times before: “Steer clear of foolish discussions which lead people into the sin of anger with each other. Things will be said that will burn and hurt for a long time to come.” (2 Timothy 2:16-17 TLB) This was God’s way of telling me not to say or do something that I would regret in the future. The fact is that we can’t “un-ring a bell.” Hurtful words cannot be unsaid, and hurtful actions cannot be undone.

So, how do we avoid “the sin of anger” when we are in a tense situation, and we are at risk of burning bridges? We take the matter to God in prayer, asking Him for His wisdom, guidance, and grace. He sees the situation from all sides, and He is just and fair in ways that we are not. I find it helpful to ask the Lord to fight my battles for me, and to ask Him to help me to remain calm while He does it. I also like to pray, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV) And I trust His Spirit to give me “the right words at the right time” when I need to have a difficult, but necessary, conversation with someone. (Matthew 10:19-20 NLT)

I believe that the Lord has you reading this message today for a reason. Please take my words to heart. God longs to spare you from unnecessary pain and regret. Always remember that “burnt bridges are hard to cross”!

Prayer: Lord, when I am in a tense situation, and I’m at risk of saying something that I will regret, please convict me by Your Spirit, and set a guard over my mouth. Remind me that hurtful words cannot be unsaid, and hurtful actions cannot be undone. Give me the right words at the right time, just as You promised. Thank You that as I remember that burnt bridges are hard to cross, You will protect and perfect my relationships for my good and Your glory!

- J. M. Farro

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