Thoughts on healthy relationships

1. Does God seem far away, impersonal or distant?
2. Do you experience guilt and self condemnation?
3. Have you learned to survive on ability and talent alone?
4. Is your life defined by weakness, sin or addictions?
5. Would you see yourself as insecure, anxious or fearful?
6. Do you think by pleasing others you can earn love and acceptance?
7. Do you feel your life has stalled or is stagnant?
8. Have you given up on being or doing better?
9. Can you not be happy unless you feel in control of others?
10. Do you define your life by past successes or past failures?

I developed this list some time ago when I was thinking about what healthy relationships look like and especially what a healthy relationship with God looks like. In our buy-and-sell world we learn that everything of value must be purchased by money, by behavior, by paying some kind of price. We then make that payment and wait for the result we are looking for or wanting, either from others or from God. It can be rather distressing when this not only doesn’t happen, but the price we paid seems to make things even worse. The most unfortunate part about this system is that it often takes years to figure out “my life isn’t working” or that “we have been living by the wrong rules and not the offering of Jesus!”

The Bible tells us:
* While we were yet sinners, Jesus gave His life for us.
* Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you.
* For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son.
* Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
* Love God with all your heart, soul and mind.
* If God is for you, then who can be against you?
* Give and it will be given to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over.
* Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
* Life does not consist of the abundance of things we possess.
* Blessed are the pure in heart, the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful.

If we are not happy with what we’ve got, we won’t be happy with what we get!

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures: He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for His names sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23

Category: Weekly Thoughts