Relationships have its starting points. It may be what people wanted and there are those that people are stuck no matter what. For example, family relationships are non-negotiable and cannot pick and choose the family members you’ll like to have. Whether you like it or not, they are there for the long haul. Even in choosing your lifetime mate; the odds are that their relatives and family members that may not be suited for your taste. But it is part of the package for the rest of your life together.
However, there is always a hope in it especially when one applies the principles and guidelines setout in the Scriptures about relationship and its dynamics. Colossian 3:12-23, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (ESV).
In these verses, one will find guidelines of relationship between one another as brethren in Christ; between wife towards their husband; husband towards their wife; children towards their parents; fathers towards their children; employees towards their employers; and employers towards their employees. Even dealing with enemies, the Scriptures provide guidelines as well, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 'But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:43-45, ESV).
But most of all, God gave the ultimate guideline in pursuing a successful relationship with all of the above-mentioned groups, i.e., "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
In other words, God has provided us all the necessary tools to make the most of every relationship we have whether favorable or unfavorable to us and the resulting effect can be either a blessing or temporary headache. But always remember that we were created to be in a relationship with different groups of people we will encounter in our lifetime. Therefore, we have no choice but to manage them all well for mutual benefit. Relationships can be compared with going in a supermarket with all the varieties of everything under one roof. There are different brands with differing qualities and the only way to know which one is to get it and try it. Except in the matter of every relationship, the “No Return, No Exchange and No Refund” rule is ever applicable. What do you think??? Let me know….
