BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Relationships help us grow and mature in fellowship with God and others. It is therefore needed to cultivate authentic relationships around us. Sadly, the home remains a lonely place without at least one or two intimate friends to live there. Relationships grow and thrive where partners in the relationships commit to honest and genuine communication that will create harmony and fellowship. To show case this, Jesus asked three of the Twelve to share in vulnerable moments such as His agonized moments. Susan points out seven things needed to build intimacy. [Nikaido, Susan. Building Better Relationships. Colorado: Navpress, 1999 p. 60-62]. Here are my perspective of such pointers that every relationship needs. First, SHARING COMMON FAITH AND VALUES. The only sure foundation for intimacy between two friends is their values and faith that helps build the trust needed in the relationship. A firm conviction that it is possible for someone to know us truly and love us unconditionally provides secure ground on which to relate. Second, NEED TO SHARE COMMON INTERESTS. The man and woman begin their journey towards marriage and end up strengthening that connection through shared interests. This is what provides a defined area of our hearts in which we can grow familiar with each other. Shared values and experiences provide “walls”—boundaries that mark what belongs to us in common. Third, NEED FOR THE SPOUSES TO EMBRACE SENSITIVITY. This factor is crucial in any relationship. A home without windows would be dark and blind. Relational windows allow us to look at ourselves and turn our attention towards the spouse at our side by evaluating our responses towards them and their feelings. Intimacy requires more than living together; we must also look to our spouse, forgetting ourselves and cultivating sensitivity towards what they think, feel and dream about. Finally is the NEED FOR LOYALTY. This is what creates builds ownership. Loyalty removes insecurity and provides protection to the relationship. Even when friends may irritate each other, their loyalty to each other keeps their friendship intact. KITOTO
Posted on: Sun, 28 Jul 2013 19:01:30 +0000
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