Relationship Health – Love and Commitment
The more we learn, through research, through experience, through trial and error and so on, the more we find that our physical health is very much tied to our relationship health. Those interpersonal connections that our lives are built upon can indeed have a direct effect on our physical well being. Striving to make these relationships healthy ones is an endeavor that is well worth the effort. Your life may very well depend on it.
There is so much relationship advice circulating everywhere you look; half of which completely contradicting the other half. That, of course, can make things difficult when you are searching for a little help…and we all need help from time to time.
There’s not a perfect marriage or relationship out there, there are simply fallible people who are striving to strengthen their personal connections. That brings up a great question – where do you look for advice on love and commitment?
Reading Selections for Love and Commitment
There are obviously many options out there; marriage counselors, pastors, momma. However, your best guidance will come from the instruction manual that God provides, the Bible.
Love and Commitment in the Bible
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
Love is more than a feeling. There are many qualities of love and they are actionable. When the Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians, to which he had been ministering, he did so to give them guidance. He was teaching them how to live a Godly life and to be an example to others.
Knowing what love is, how it works, what it looks like is a tremendous guiding light. You can use these qualities to model your loving behavior and you can also use them to determine the level of reality behind a claim of love by another.
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
The Bible speaks of the level of commitment you must have in love. When you truly love another person, it is an instinctive act to put them before you. If you have a habit of putting yourself first, this is an area that you should consider and work to adjust.
Christ loves us. He proved it time and again, never more evident than when he gave his life for us. He put us first because He loves us.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
In this scripture, King Solomon speaks to the partnership between two people that is created in marriage and the purpose of that partnership. There is a purpose behind the commitment; two people standing together, being there for your spouse in the highs and lows of life.
Draw strength from each other and allow Christ to be at the center of your relationship.
Ephesians 4:2-3
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
This scripture gives actionable advice; instructions for how to conduct yourself. It’s not always the easiest thing to do, but God gives us specific instructions on how to behave. You have to assume that, even when it is difficult, if we abide by God’s instructions, our efforts will be blessed.
John 15:12
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Christ’s command for our marriages and all of our relationships, is simple and clear. Love unconditionally-as He loves us.
1 Peter 4:8
8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Love is a guiding principle throughout the Bible and it is very clear in this scripture. We are commanded to love and love deeply.
Love and Commitment – Bringing it All Together
Relationships are a necessary part of human life. We crave that connection because we need it. God created that need for love and commitment in us and He will bless us for approaching our relationships with reverence, allowing Him to be at the center of them.
It is my prayer that we all strive to strengthen the bonds of love and commitment that God created for us, always keeping in mind that He is in control and He will see us through if we humble ourselves before Him.
Reading Selections for Love and Commitment
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We also, as a homesteading family, have three additional blogs that might interest you.Two Oaks Farm Talkconcerns the more technical side of homesteading. We discuss subjects like gardening, food prep, and farm building and construction with lots of tutorials!
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