HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS 101
Here are 10 timeless biblical principles on how to have a successful relationship with someone else.
They can be used in friendships, family relationships, romantic relationships and even applied to business, sports, and neighbors.
1. Forgive each other when wronged. It is not a matter of when one must forgive someone else but when will it occur. No one escapes this opportunity.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
2. Be a giver. When two people act only to get something from someone else they are motivated by self and self never has enough. Selfish people are insatiable.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
3. Good humor. God has given us joy, rejoicing and cheerfulness to help us through life. We must share this gift for others and for our benefit.
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
4. Constant assurance and affirmation. Nothing is quite as uplifting as one who seeks to build others up. Life should be a contest of trying to give more than we receive.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
5. Express appreciation. Thankfulness toward another actually is viewing them as valuable and made iin the image of God. We are viewing them from God’s point of view.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
6. Crude words and not allowed. Some words are life giving and some words are death giving. A good relationship avoids hard, cruel, crude words. They only bring death.
1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
7. Don’t go to bed mad. It is good to live in day tight compartments. Anger will do no good during the night and can only fester and bring no healing. Settle things as much as possible before you call it a day.
Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
8. Friends are important. Be careful about who you bring into your intimate acquaintances. We pass by all kinds of people in life. We choose who we will walk with. Choose wisely.
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
9. Grow deeper in your relationship. Small minds talk about people. Average minds talk about events. Great minds talk about ideas.
2 Peter 3:18
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
10. Respect for old age. In walking down the road of life we can see others ahead of us. Someday we will be there where they are, with others following us. When we do not respect older people we can look forward to others disrespecting us when we arrive at that age. Once more, we are made in the image of God and are valuable whether in the womb or close to the tomb.
Leviticus 19:32
‘Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.
The end
Chaplain Dave Online 