Insight #28

FUNCTIONING IN THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP

This week, were going to continue our study on functioning properly in a RIGHT relationship. Last time we were looking at the issue of communication. Let’s continue.

Communication

In a relationship, you’re supposed to know how to manage your words and body language effectively so as to maximize the relationship, by this I mean that you should know when to speak, how to speak and most of all, when to be silent. Each and every one of us has his/her sad days; those days when everything seems to go wrong. It is in such times we need friends who know the right words to say to us and how to lift us out of that pool of depression…this is what I mean. We don’t need those who come and make our situation worse by mocking or saying hurtful words to us. The same goes for you, when a friend is feeling down, you should do everything in your power to bring him out of his bad mood. Also you must make sure that every time you talk to your friends, you should allow them to say their mind concerning you. I once read that, “your friends are a mirror of your character” that is, if you really want to know how your character is, ask your friends. This also means that you have to be the kind of person that receives correction well. You are expected to do the same for your friends.

Also you need to constantly encourage your friends to become the best they can be, don’t settle for mediocre friends. You must demand the same from your friends as well. You should use sentences like, “you can do this” and such words of encouragement.

You should always be happy for your friend’s success

It is very easy to become jealous when you’re in a relationship. Especially when your friend has more physical things than you, is richer or better looking, has better grades or is more popular than you. Also it’s possible to be envious when a friend is succeeding when you’re failing. As a Christian, God expects you to be happy for a friend when he succeeds even when you fail. You must be a constant encouragement to your friend in every situation….you must let his success become yours so that when he succeeds, your happiness for him will be genuine and not out of hypocrisy.

Jealousy destroys you and your relationships; it annoys God when you envy others. Someone once said, ”If you envy someone, you’re their inferior”. You must also make sure that when it’s you that’s succeeding and not your friend, that you don’t keep talking about your success in such a way that will make your friend feel bad or inferior. Anytime you succeed and your friend doesn’t, spend more time comforting him than singing about your success.

You must pray for your friends

This is the most important thing you must learn how to do in a relationship. You must learn how to pray for your friends always at least every day. This is what keeps a good Christian friendship strong. Also you must learn to share words of prayer and inspiration with your friends. This keeps both of you focused on what really matters—GOD… never forget this. Any friend that refuses this isn’t your friend and you need to get out of that relationship as soon as possible.

Join us as we continue with our exciting study next week. GOD BLESS YOU.

PRAYER; Dear father, please help me to be a better friend by communicating properly, praying for my friends and to always rejoice at my friend’s success. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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