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Relationships: Built to Last!
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 4:8. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Quote: Forgiveness is the oil of all relationships
One of things most powerful points of emphasis in the teaching of Christ ae the area of relationships. Christ calls us as believer’s to be in healthy relationship. He calls us to be the Body of Christ. As a Body we consist of important interdependent parts that cannot be whole without one another. God knows the need for us to have good social interactions. That is why He said it is not good for man to be alone. We need human contact, human interaction and human fellowship that is expressed through healthy relationships. We live in such a selfish, disposable, self-justifying and blaming others society. Too often as people we are a bit superficial in how we relate as believers. That is noted by how we handle our interactions and conflicts. As those who call themselves by the name of Christ we should be striving and growing to maintain and build healthy relationships. God will settle for nothing less as He has called us to t be examples for Christ! Here are some keys that you can implement in your new creature status to build healthy relationships:
1.Learn basics about Christ and not your personal opinions as your first step to "healthy relationships." Let Christ’ concept of loving other, conversations attitudes, etc… be your first guide.
2.Engage in Self-Control—to engage in self-control, we need to have a reasonable level of self-awareness and an understanding of how our emotions come into play in how we respond, rather than react to certain situations. How we respond may be shaped by our life experiences, but we still control our ultimate response. When we exercise self-control, we “consider the interest of others.”
3.Be careful not to engage in verbal abuse—watch how we talk to one another. There is sometimes a disrespect in how we say things not what we say. What we say should be watched as well as how we say what we say. Corrections, disappointments, etc… should be done with respect. Respect is crucial to healthy relationships. You must teach yourself to respect others with true biblical respect. Proverbs 15:1 a soft answer turns away wrath.
4.Enjoy and embrace our differences. I know birds of a feather flock together but even within that there are differences in our similarity. We are meant to balance each other by attracting people whose strengths may be our weaknesses. As a result of our unique distinctions, we complement each other. Embrace the uniqueness of who we are.
5.Compromise in healthy ways. The Lord's peace often results when each side comes close to His viewpoint. We cannot remain so entrenched in our view that we cannot change or adapt. And we must know when to compromise and when compromise is too far.
6.Don’t allow yourself to talk or think about others in a negative way—practice honesty with sensitivity. Watch how you think about others! Handle your accounts by forgiving and/or discussing the issues and forgiving. Sometimes things exist because of a lack of communication. Matthew 6:14-15
Good relationships don’t just happen!
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