Relationships God's way!

 God made us all relational. He designed us to need Him and each other!  Someone once asked Mother Teresa what was the worst disease facing mankind. She said it was loneliness. There are a lot of lonely people out there. Even in a crowd they feel all alone. So many times we don't even notice because we are wrapped up in our own lives. We say things, like "I am so sorry. I will pray for you." Then we go on with life. We don't get involved. That is not relational. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, says Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one. They get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. People alone, when they fall are in real trouble.

It makes me think of all the flood victims in the last few years, all over our country. They needed others to reach out and help. Such destruction would be impossible to get through without help from others. Sometimes we never know a person is suffering from loneliness or in need of help. They have perfected an attitude of , "I can do it myself." They are good at hiding their need for other people.

For most of my life I have been self sufficient. I felt if I asked for help I would appear to be inadequate. I have since learned with God's help and my husband John's that I don't have to do it all myself. For too long I felt that if I let others help I was incompetent. I was so afraid of looking bad and less of a person. I am learning it is O.K. I am learning to let others have the blessing of helping!

We can all learn to give to others unconditionally. We can refresh others and help them relieve their burdens. We can be encouragers, and the bonus is a blessing for us. Proverbs 11:25 says "Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Our relationships of the past may be keeping us from current relationships. A bad relationship can hurt for a long time, and keep us from new ones. God can heal those Hurst and open new doors for us. I love this picture in Ecclesiastes 4:12. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated but two can stand back to back and conquer.

Whether we are helping in a crisis, mentoring or just fellowshiping, friendship with others is our greatest asset. Do you know your friends well? Do you know when they are lonely or in need? Sometimes all they need is for you to listen. Other times they need encouragement, sometimes a hug Will do! Our focus should be, "what can I do to be a blessing to you today?" 

One of my gifts is empathy and sympathy. God has been asking me to do that more than I have. I need to be an encourager. I need to get back to doing what God designed me to be. We know no relationship is perfect. We will be disappointed, hurt, and lonely at times. But we need to follow Jesus example of love and caring, and compassion. How well are we doing? 

Ask yourself and those closest to you this question. "How do others feel about themselves after they have spent time with me? That is a tough one. I don't know how I stack up. What about you?  God ordained relationships and they happen when we care more about God's will for one another than we care about our own rights and our own comfort.