Relationships are a vitally important part of society. It seems many people are often trying to find an ideal balance in their personal lives, whiles others will compromise who they are just to attain a certain goal. In today’s world, most people interact with others on a regular basis during the course of their routine activities. However, when it comes to close personal relationships, there tend to be certain traits (or lack thereof) that brings friends and family together as well as push them apart at times. What can you do to find that even balance in your life to help ensure healthy relationships with others? Below, you will find three areas of your life that are essential for making you a better person as well as have better relationships with others. In like manner, you will need to find an even balance between these three areas in order to find a true peace within yourself.
For starters, you must make God the center of your life. Otherwise, you may be setting yourself up for a disaster. Without God as your firm foundation, where do you find stability in your life? By being dependent on others? Following the current trends? In the New Testament, we find James describing how confused people can be when they are not grounded in the Word of God. To describe this confusion, James uses the analogy of a man looking into a mirror who immediately forgets what he looks like after stepping away. (James 1:23-24) The Apostle Paul also describes confused believers as individuals who are “…tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14 NIV) In the Book of Proverbs, King Solomon does a great job at explaining how you should make God the center of your life. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)
The second thing you need to do is find a well-suited niche and/or occupation where you can become a functional part of your community. Otherwise, you may become co-dependent on others. Throughout the Word of God, we find that people were generally an active part of their communities…be it tradesmen, farmers, wives, and so on. Of course there were others who were less fortunate such as the widow, the fatherless, the alien, and the poor. (Zechariah 7:10) In the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy, he gave certain provisions for believers to provide for their relatives who are truly in need, in order that the church can help those who are truly in need. (I Timothy 5:16) On the contrary, the Apostle Paul gave a harsh warning against idleness in his letter to the church of the Thessalonians. “We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.” (II Thessalonians 3:11-12 NIV) In other words, you need to take an active role within your community, whether you are working in an occupation or profession, being a “stay-at-home” parent, dedicating your time to taking care of a loved one, going to school or just plain enjoying your childhood or retirement.
The third thing you need to do is take time for yourself, otherwise, you may self-destruct. Jesus Christ often withdrew himself from the crowds and went to quiet places and prayed. (Luke 5:16) The author of Ecclesiastes tells us not to forget the rewards of our work and labors with these words. “I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 NIV) Your life does not revolve around just working and/ or serving others, but it also entails taking care of yourself. Essentially, you need to have hobbies and/ or interests that you take the time to enjoy, regardless if your friends or family members take any pleasure in them. Your own personal hobbies and/ or interests are what make you unique…they make who you are as a person. Conversely, losing your individuality and a sense of being who you are could easily lead to many personal problems, such as depending on other things or people for happiness and/ or disconnecting from others. Therefore, remember to relax and take the time to do things you enjoy in helping ensure you maintain your sanity.
In closing, remember to keep an even balance in your life for your own benefit as well as others within your sphere of influence. The three key areas that require equilibrium with one another are having God as an integral part of your life, finding a niche where you can be a functional part of your community and taking time for yourself. Embrace the things that make you unique as a person. Similarly, maintain your integrity, and avoid compromising your character, by remaining grounded in the Word of God. Once you find that even balance in your own life, you can have healthier relationships and friendships with others by ensuring you have a well-balanced life that brings out your own unique qualities as well as emulates God’s peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment