God and Relationships

"Life is mostly about relationships. When our relationships are going well, life is good. We feel full, strong, loved, and happy. But when they unravel- or worse, don't exist- life is empty and lonely. We feel insignificant, insecure, weak, and sad." 
(14 Secrets to Better Relationships)

This blog is a recap of a book I am studying (and strongly recommend): 

"14 Secrets to Better Relationships" by Dave Earley.

1. Admit That You Need Relationships

"Two are better than one." Ecclesiastes 4:9

2. Accept Them For Who They Are

"Accept one another... Just as Christ accepted you." Romans 15:7

3. Love At All Times

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39

4. Respect

"Honor one another above yourself." Romans 12:10

5. Be a Servent 

"Serve one another humbly in love." Galatians 5:13

6. Be Quick to Forgive

"Forgive just as the Lord forgave your sins." Colossians 3:13

7. Be Honest Always

"Confess your sins to each other." James 5:16

8. Be an Encourager

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." Hebrews 10:24

9. Pray Always

"Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20

10. Choose Peace

"Live in harmony with one another." Romans 12:16

11. Comfort with Compassion

"Comfort one another with these words." 1Thessalonians 4:18

12. Invest Daily

"Let us not love with words but with actions and truth." 1 John 3:18

13. Carry Their Burdens

"Restore that person gently... Carry eachothers burdens." Galatians 6:1-2

14. Endure

"Be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

"A convenient relationship is seldom a relationship of deep joy. It is in the dire that rough-edged relationships are refined and made strong. These may not be easy- but they are worth it because God works to make them stronger, deeper, and more rewarding." 

(14 Secrets to Better Relationships)