(Reprinted from April 8, 2021) Good relationships are founded upon the relationship we have with God and secondly with ourselves, The Bible tells us in the book of Mark; “and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart”,,, and ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ {Mark 12:3031} in other words, I need to receive the love that God has for me, and I also need to love myself…. that’s how I can love others.
There are 3 levels of relationships: The first is your relationship with God. Everything flows from your relationship with God {the first level}. If your relationship with Him isn’t well established, it can give rise to difficulties in your relationships and interactions with others. It’s clear to see… we can only give what we ourselves have already received.
Then comes your relationship with yourself. Learning to accept the person that I am is essential and key. Loving oneself is important! It’s not about saying, “I’m better than everyone else,” that would be pride. Rather, it’s saying, “I will praise God, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”{Psalm 139:14} That’s gratitude! It may be difficult for you to proclaim these words because of a painful past or hurtful words that were spoken over you….. Yet, know this: God wants to heal how you see yourself. His love can heal all wounds; those of the past, those of the heart, and those of the body. Finally, your relationships with others is very important! Have you ever asked yourself why relationships are so important to God? God is a God of relationships. God created people to be in relationship with Him and with those around them. It may be that relationships are the only things of earth that will transcend into eternity.
