What the Road Taught Me About Reconciliation and Faith

Living in a fifth wheel for three years teaches you one thing quickly: there’s nowhere to hide. 

On rainy days, the trailer feels impossibly small. Cooking a meal with everyone watching turns a simple task into a lesson in patience. And when conversations get serious, sometimes the only option is a long walk away from prying ears. 

In those tight quarters, I discovered a truth that travels far beyond the road: unresolved tensions don’t stay put. They follow you everywhere.

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Jesus Starts Where We Least Expect It

Jesus begins with a command we can all get behind:

“You shall not murder.”

Most of us would check that box and move on.

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He’s talking about anger, quiet resentment, the internal eye-roll,  and the relational distance we justify, not because nothing really happened, but because we mistake avoidance for peace.

Jesus addresses this directly in Matthew 5:21–22 (ESV):

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to hell of fire.”

On the road, I learned that small, unaddressed tensions don’t stay small. Left alone, irritation hardens, assumptions grow, and suddenly the issue isn’t what you thought it was.

There’s no private space to stew quietly, you eventually have to face it.

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Unresolved Conflict Travels With You

Whether you’re traveling across states, serving in missions, or living closely with others, here’s the truth: unresolved conflict follows you.

Jesus’ instruction to reconcile before worship is about alignment. He is inviting us to consider what we carry into spaces meant to be sacred.

And sacred spaces are everywhere—globally, nationally, in our state, our county, our city, next door, and even within our own homes. When we serve, travel, or minister, we encounter…

• Different cultures

• Different opinions

• Different expectations

• Different ways of seeing the world

Without practicing reconciliation, resentment quietly becomes part of the baggage we carry.

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Reconciliation Is Part of Traveling Well

The good news is that Jesus isn’t asking for dramatic confrontations or perfect resolution, just honest steps toward peace. 

In real life, that can look like noticing and addressing issues before they harden, refusing to let contempt quietly settle in our hearts (like silently judging someone for a small mistake or dismissing their effort), choosing humility over being right, and seeking repair without holding onto bitterness. 

On the road, this posture isn’t optional, it’s survival. And in missions or ministry, it’s just as essential, shaping how we show up, serve, and relate to others wherever we go.

Faithfulness In How We Carry Ourselves

How we handle anger, whether we choose reconciliation over avoidance, whether we refuse to dehumanize those who frustrate us, and whether we carry unresolved conflict into new spaces...these are more than just habits. 

They are acts of faithfulness, reflections of the heart we bring to God in every relationship, every ministry, and every step of the journey. 

No matter how far you travel, you still bring yourself with you.

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A Question Worth Asking Along the Way

Looking back on our travels and ahead to whatever comes next, I keep asking myself:

What am I carrying that needs to be addressed before I move forward?

As I’ve wrestled with Jesus’ words recorded by Matthew, I’ve been convicted by the the command that reconciliation isn’t something to save for later. 

It's something I struggle with as a person who avoids conflict. However knowing that I just have to take a step as God does the restoring, takes the pressure off. 

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:23–24 (ESV):

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

In His perfect wisdom, Jesus invites us to see reconciliation not as a final step, but as a faithful way of moving forward.

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 Closing Thought

Whether you’re crossing state lines, serving in missions, or navigating everyday relationships, the road ahead is shaped by what we choose to carry with us.

Sometimes the most faithful step forward isn’t covering more distance, it’s stopping long enough to make peace.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Help us carry Your peace wherever we go. Teach us to notice anger and resentment, take steps toward reconciliation, and reflect Your heart in every relationship. May our faithfulness be seen in the small choices we make each day.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

• I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, feel free to leave a comment below. 

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