Relationships
Can we be honest for a moment?
Relationships are HARD.
Whether we’re talking about friendships, marriage, the relationships you have with your kids, your neighbors, or at work… Relationships can get messy and be difficult to manage.
Loneliness
But you know like I know that we were not created to do life alone. We need each other. We really do.
The problem of loneliness in our culture is real. Not only does isolation put us at risk for anxiety, depression, and a number of other mental health problems, but according to just about every health professional you’ll talk to it increases our risk for a wide variety of health issues including heart disease, stroke, and more!
There is a paradox that exists within the Christian life.
We need solitude. We need time to be alone with God, completely present in the Light of His presence.
But we also need each other! We were created for community. Being a part of a church matters. Being connected to a faith community is a matter of huge importance!
According to Harvard research, people who attend church once a week are happier and get this, HEALTHIER! Why? I’m sure we could come up with a long list of reasons but I believe it all comes down to this. We NEED each other.
But, relationships are hard.
So how do we not only sustain those relationships that mean the most to us, how do we make them better?
Put these 7 Things at the CENTER
If you want better relationships, let me suggest putting these things at the center of every relationship.
The Apostle Paul said it this way to a group of people striving to follow Jesus some 2000 years ago and I think these words still hold power for us today. He said,
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
Ephesians 4.2-3
What needs to be at the center of every relationship?
- Humility.
- Gentleness.
- Patience.
- Grace.
- Love.
- Unity in the Spirit.
- A bond of Peace.
In one word, Jesus.
Put Jesus at the Center of every relationship. As you do you’ll discover what it’s like to encourage, support, bless, build up, and help those around you. Invite Jesus into the center of your friendships, your marriage, your relationships with your children, your co-workers, and those within your church.
When you do, as you do, not only will your relationships be better, they’ll be life giving.
We need each other. And we need Jesus.
May Jesus be the center of every relationship, every encounter, every moment today.
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