Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Relational Maturity by Todd Pierce
Relational maturity - I think we can all agree that our relationships are the most important experiences we have in this life. I believe that when Jesus wrapped the whole law up in this "Love God with your whole being and love others as you love yourself", He made relationships the most important thing. Although people are the greatest part of life, they are also the most dangerous and have the potential of inflicting the greatest pain. Because of this truth, I believe we should continue to grow in our ability to enjoy deep, rich relationships and teach others the same. It was Jesus who said that the world would recognize us as his followers by the love we have for one another.
This last week, I found myself counseling three different people who were struggling in three different kinds of relationships, but in each situation they had the same issue. I want to briefly give you a glimpse of some things our Father has shown me about preparing ourselves for deeper relationships.
Usually we choose to enter into relationships with people we like. Right? We like them because of their great qualities and willingness to like us back. There is no problem with building relationships with people you like, but if you have somehow forgot that every person in your life will eventually let you down and that they have many characteristics you won't like, then you are set up for resentment and conflict. Because it is so common for people to have shallow relationships, many of us have developed some really bad habits that effect the people we should be in deep relationship with. We have become so used to being the impressive person that people like that when someone close notices a flaw in us, we can become offended and defensive. We forget to practice giving the people around us some slack and giving ourselves the same. It is as though we are so protective of our appearance to others that we want others around us to do the same. So the time comes when someone close to you notices a flaw in you and maybe even chooses to point it out, our image is broken and it causes all sorts of emotional responses. Most of them are ugly. We have all experienced this. Right?
So what's the point? We must take a step back and realize that we must change our opinion of ourselves before we can succeed in our relationships with others. If you are able to receive the truth that our Father loves you with an everlasting love and He does it even though He sees all your flaws, then why do we think that our love for ourselves or one another should be any different? It is the Holy Spirit that will continue to make the changes in us and others. If you are able to see all your flaws in yourself and still be ok with you, then you can do the same for others. Now, when someone close points out something that offends them, you can honestly say, "Your right, and I am sorry. Please forgive me and know that our Father is still working on these areas." We won't be shocked and offended. We are free to be gracious because we are mature enough that we see our issues and others issues as part of the human experience and we are ok with it.
In service of the King, Todd Pierce
www.ridinghighministries.org
Relational maturity - I think we can all agree that our relationships are the most important experiences we have in this life. I believe that when Jesus wrapped the whole law up in this "Love God with your whole being and love others as you love yourself", He made relationships the most important thing. Although people are the greatest part of life, they are also the most dangerous and have the potential of inflicting the greatest pain. Because of this truth, I believe we should continue to grow in our ability to enjoy deep, rich relationships and teach others the same. It was Jesus who said that the world would recognize us as his followers by the love we have for one another.
This last week, I found myself counseling three different people who were struggling in three different kinds of relationships, but in each situation they had the same issue. I want to briefly give you a glimpse of some things our Father has shown me about preparing ourselves for deeper relationships.
Usually we choose to enter into relationships with people we like. Right? We like them because of their great qualities and willingness to like us back. There is no problem with building relationships with people you like, but if you have somehow forgot that every person in your life will eventually let you down and that they have many characteristics you won't like, then you are set up for resentment and conflict. Because it is so common for people to have shallow relationships, many of us have developed some really bad habits that effect the people we should be in deep relationship with. We have become so used to being the impressive person that people like that when someone close notices a flaw in us, we can become offended and defensive. We forget to practice giving the people around us some slack and giving ourselves the same. It is as though we are so protective of our appearance to others that we want others around us to do the same. So the time comes when someone close to you notices a flaw in you and maybe even chooses to point it out, our image is broken and it causes all sorts of emotional responses. Most of them are ugly. We have all experienced this. Right?
So what's the point? We must take a step back and realize that we must change our opinion of ourselves before we can succeed in our relationships with others. If you are able to receive the truth that our Father loves you with an everlasting love and He does it even though He sees all your flaws, then why do we think that our love for ourselves or one another should be any different? It is the Holy Spirit that will continue to make the changes in us and others. If you are able to see all your flaws in yourself and still be ok with you, then you can do the same for others. Now, when someone close points out something that offends them, you can honestly say, "Your right, and I am sorry. Please forgive me and know that our Father is still working on these areas." We won't be shocked and offended. We are free to be gracious because we are mature enough that we see our issues and others issues as part of the human experience and we are ok with it.
In service of the King, Todd Pierce
www.ridinghighministries.org
Labels: flaws, forgive, gracious, love, maturity, offended, relationships
posted by Todd # 11:04 AM 
Post a Comment