5 Helpful Truths that will Bless Your Relationships

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Relationships are a necessary, messy part of life that can be both a blessing and a challenge. That said, God has given us helpful truths that will bless every relationship we have.

God created us to live connected to Him and to one another.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble… Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Eccleiastes 4:9-10, 12b

We know it’s true because life just feels better when all our relationships are strong, healthy, and happy.

But then there’s this…

But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 (CSB)

Based on Paul’s words, we shouldn’t be surprised that every generation has believed they were living in “the last days.” And in many ways, we are. We don’t know the day or time Jesus will return, but we do know we are closer now than we were yesterday, last month, or last year.

Ever since Adam and Eve were banished from the garden, and their firstborn son killed his brother, people have struggled to get along.

But I wonder…

Does it seem like things are getting worse?

I don’t really have evidence that’s true, other than the many hurting people I see personally, on social media, and splashed across every news report.

The Bible tells us how important it is for us to love like Jesus, and gives us clear guidelines to follow; but church-going Christians are falling short, too.

Marriages end. Families fall apart. Friendships fail. People protest and riot. Churches split. And relationships end. 

I would love to have some powerful words that could heal the brokenness. But only God can change hearts. What I can do is prayerfully share some thoughts and verses that will guide us and give us hope.

Reasons Relationships Fail and
Important Truths that will Help

1. People are selfish.

We all want things done our way on our timetable. I get it. You and I look at life from the inside out. We filter everything through our own beliefs and desires. Spend 5 minutes with a toddler, and you’ll quickly learn we come into the world with the original sin of “self.” It takes an intentional change in attitude to follow God’s better way…

Be Helpful and Kind

Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

James 3:16–17

2. People are prideful and stubborn.

They believe, “I’m right! You’re wrong! It’s that simple.”

They’re certain that if everyone would see and do things “my way,” the world would be sooooo much better. But what many of us forget is that so much of what we “know” and believe has been filtered through the lens of our personal experiences.

God says…

Be Humble

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 

Ephesians 4:2

3. People are quick to judge.

They say, “I can’t believe it. How could you?! I would never!”

Yeah, that!

We are so quick to judge another person’s motives without knowing their heart. The truth is, you and I don’t want to have assumptions made about us. We hate when judgment is directed our way.

God’s Word says…

Be Merciful and Kind

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

Colossians 3:12

4. People are self-righteous.

I understand; some things are hard to forgive. Some offenses cut so deep that forgiving feels impossible, but when you and I remember all that God has forgiven in us, well, with His help we can forgive as He commands…

And the blessing is that forgiving others heals our bitter, angry hearts and gives us peace.

Be Forgiving

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

5. People fail to listen to each other.

I’m a talker, and I’m opinionated. Believe it or not, I always have something to say. If I said everything that popped into my head… let’s just say, it wouldn’t be pretty.

Honestly, it’s a good thing people can’t read my mind, and the One who can… well, He hears many prayers of repentance about those unspoken thoughts.

Can you imagine how our relationships would improve if we truly listened to one another with compassion before we spoke in anger? If we made understanding and compassion a priority?

That’s why the Lord wants us to…

Be listeners

My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants.

James 1:19–20 (NCV)

I know many of us are thinking, “Yeah but you don’t know_________.”

And I completely understand. Really, I do! I’ve had my own relationship failures!

No matter how hard we try, we can’t change someone else. And although that’s true, we aren’t helpless. With God’s help, we can surrender ourselves to His transforming power, and that may be exactly what the relationship needs.

So remember…

I can’t change you, but I can change me.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer For God to Help You
Bless Your Relationships

Father God, You graciously made us to live in loving, caring relationships. Sadly, when sin entered the world, we all became prone to selfishness and pride. Every one of us needs to repent and humbly choose to follow Your command to love one another.

You have not left us to figure out what loving means. Throughout Your Word, You gave specifics about the behaviors that will hurt us and those that will bless us. You said we should be tenderhearted, merciful, kind, humble, gentle, and patient consistently. But we’re not.

Please forgive us. Please forgive me. I surrender myself to You in humble gratitude for all the countless ways You have shown me Your love. I love You, Lord. Please fill me with Your Spirit and help me live and love in ways that will bless my relationships. Help me love like Jesus. Amen.

It’s true, we can’t; we won’t do this on our own. But remember…

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:22–23a

With God’s help, we can make it our heart’s desire to become less selfish, more humble, merciful, and forgiving. We can listen with compassion to the ideas and experiences of others. And most importantly, we can trust and obey God’s helpful truths for life.

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