The wrecking ball

A building being demolished by a wrecking ball.

Wrecking balls inflict serious damage, albeit intended damage.  They demolish some very strong buildings.  The constant pounding of the wrecking ball at the end of a cable being swung by a crane is brutal in nature, and the end result is an unrepairable mess.

All of us, yes all of us, because we are broken to one degree or another, have wrecking balls that we can (and do) use on demand.  It is these wrecking balls that, little by little, can demolish our relationships.  Each time our personal wrecking ball swings, more damage is inflicted, and if the relationship isn't destroyed it at least can become toxic and unhealthy.  What are some of the personal wrecking balls?

• our tongues, and the words we say or fail to say
• our attitudes, about ourselves and toward others
• how we handle such things as money and sex
• our fears and insecurities
• our own wants, when they take precedence over our others
• our lack of forgiveness toward others
• our sin, both overt and covert
• our unwillingness to change

The key to a healthier relationship is understanding and owning the fact that we do have, and use, our wrecking balls...perhaps more often than we should.  When we swing the wrecking ball, if we own up to the fact that we just did it, apologize and ask forgiveness, that's a step in the right direction toward parking the crane and turning off the key.