‘However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.’ Ephesians 5:33 (NIV).
Two of the most famous ‘marriage advice’ type of verses can shed some real light on how all relationships – not just the relationship between husband and wife – can work better. These are: be considerate (1 Peter 3:7) and be worthy of respect (1 Timothy 3:11). In any kind of relationship, it’s about growing an environment where the relationship works to help both people become better people and draw closer to God.
To build that kind of environment means giving a lot of encouragement and support. Not only when we feel like it, but also when we don’t. Jesus’ commandment to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 22:39) sums it up perfectly. It means asking God to soften our sharp edges, and provide us with the strength, patience and opportunities to show His love to those around us.
If we want to work out a difficult relationship, make long-lasting friendships or even just feel loved, we must make the first move. When we’re prayerfully proactive in a relationship, and willing to drop our own petty disagreements or dislikes for the sake of blessing someone, God will add to it.
Prayer:
‘Dear Lord, show me how I can offer love in a practical way to those relationships I have that need some nurturing right now. Thank you.’
In Jesus’ Mighty Name,
AMEN!
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Final Thoughts:
This does not mean we should let ourselves be walked over by someone who isn’t willing to show love back. Sometimes, there’s reason to find the way out of a relationship (and if we do feel as though we need to get out, then listen well to what’s going on in our heart), but a few steps before that, it’s worth considering if we can bless the other person in some way.
What relationship is beckoning us to show love and consideration just now? How might we make the first move?
Be Greatly Blessed!
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