Relationships with anyone can be extremely difficult at times.
Tempers burn to a short fuse, words get said, confusion sets into place. It happens with all of us in our relationships with others. So, how do we deal with all of this? Being in relationships can seem like a job at times, and it can take a toll on us before we know it.
It’s important to know that Jesus has called us to the relationships we have.
He equips us for the people we encounter if we are living close to Him. If we are in constant communication with Jesus, there will be hard times with people, but we will be prepared for them. Every relationship goes through tough times, it’s how we handle those times that make us that much stronger. Andy Stanley said in one of his sermons that relationships should be a “submission competition” and that spoke volumes to me. I encourage that wholeheartedly.
If both people are working their hardest to serve each other/the people around them, there can’t be a whole lot that is going wrong in the relationship. It’s never about you, it is about the other person. Remember that if it’s two-sided, there won’t be too many arguments between you two. Serving each other: a concept that we don’t stress enough in society for our friendships, dating relationships, or even marriages. Listening, caring for, and sacrificing through various other acts of service for others is the way to tackle relationships well. Sometimes, that’s what relationships feel like— like we just can’t tackle them. We can’t get a grip.
Here, I hope you find more insight on the ways we can get a grip, and can get on top of this “relationship” word.
It gets hard for us because we are naturally selfish people and if we don’t consciously fight that urge, it won’t be on the way to golden. Knowing everyone is going through the #struggle is comforting yet a little discomforting at the same time. We should all be fighting the urge to give in to selfish nature. We have to be aware of it and serve others as a counteract. When we start to do this, and focus on others truly above ourselves, relationships can thrive.
And sometimes, you’re reminded why it’s all worth it.