Detox Your Relationships
How do you know when you're in a toxic relationship?
* Do you cringe when you see their name on caller-ID?
* Do you avoid contact unless absolutely necessary?
* Have you stopped interacting the way you used to?
* Does the conversation usually lead around to something uncomfortable?
* Has it become a one-sided interaction?
* Do you feel guilty when you don't write or call instead of excited that you get to write or call?
This may seem extreme, but there are some people in our lives that aren't healthy relationships. They're not illicit or nasty, they're just not beneficial. A friendship or family relationship should nurture peace and growth in both participants. If they don't and it seems more like a battlefield, you need to find out why.
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 41:9
Perhaps you know exactly why: something was said, done, not said or not done and sent everything out of whack. Or maybe you've just grown apart and don't share the same interests and viewpoints anymore. Either way you need to decide if that relationship is worth saving.
We never want to give up on any relationship that can be loving and a source of joy. It may require some work from both sides, and that's a requirement for two people to grow and flourish together. But there are other times, due to sin or evil choices, that there needs to be some separation.
So as you analyze those tumultuous relationships, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Can you talk to this person openly about the issues between you?
2. Are you willing to do some bending yourself to set things right?
3. Is the relationship one that will be enjoyable again as it once was?
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
Pray about what God would have you do in your difficult relationships. He'll let you know through the stirring of your heart whether you should endure through and build a strong foundation with this person or if you're both better keeping your distance. Toxic relationships can be saved, but only by the grace of God.
* Do you cringe when you see their name on caller-ID?
* Do you avoid contact unless absolutely necessary?
* Have you stopped interacting the way you used to?
* Does the conversation usually lead around to something uncomfortable?
* Has it become a one-sided interaction?
* Do you feel guilty when you don't write or call instead of excited that you get to write or call?
This may seem extreme, but there are some people in our lives that aren't healthy relationships. They're not illicit or nasty, they're just not beneficial. A friendship or family relationship should nurture peace and growth in both participants. If they don't and it seems more like a battlefield, you need to find out why.
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 41:9
Perhaps you know exactly why: something was said, done, not said or not done and sent everything out of whack. Or maybe you've just grown apart and don't share the same interests and viewpoints anymore. Either way you need to decide if that relationship is worth saving.
We never want to give up on any relationship that can be loving and a source of joy. It may require some work from both sides, and that's a requirement for two people to grow and flourish together. But there are other times, due to sin or evil choices, that there needs to be some separation.
So as you analyze those tumultuous relationships, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Can you talk to this person openly about the issues between you?
2. Are you willing to do some bending yourself to set things right?
3. Is the relationship one that will be enjoyable again as it once was?
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
Pray about what God would have you do in your difficult relationships. He'll let you know through the stirring of your heart whether you should endure through and build a strong foundation with this person or if you're both better keeping your distance. Toxic relationships can be saved, but only by the grace of God.
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