It's a long road...

When did you last speak unkindly to your spouse yet expect them to "take out the trash" nicely?  When did your critical style of humor fail to keep your friends laughing? When did belittling your children cause them to perform better?  Ezra 10 reminds us that the road to recovery after prolonged hurt is extensive. The children of Israel, after being convicted of their sin, said to Ezra the priest "We have been unfaithful to our God...but even so, there is still hope for Israel" (10:2). If you fit one of the examples listed above or any one of the many maladies that cause others to not trust you (infidelity, lying, gossip, etc), there is a road toward hope that you can take if you're willing.  Yes, forgiveness  is promised via your repentant heart.  But this is only the first step.

Verse 13 goes on to say "this problem can't be solved in a day or two because we have sinned badly." When you've repeatedly hurt feelings or spoke harshly or lied flagrantly, your road to restoration with that person will take some time.  Apologies will be needed and patterns will need to change.  And even then, only time and consistency will prove your new-found conversion is not just a fantasy.

Why not commit to repairing a wrong behavior?  You're gonna have to eat some humble pie but the reward in the end will be worth it.