Love and Respect in Relationships

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:35-40 (KJV) emphasis mine

Solid relationships are built on love and respect. If I love you, then I will respect you. I will learn to listen and not just talk. I will hear you out without interrupting you. I will not push myself on you or cause strife with you. I will do my best not to hinder who you are. And when I do, I create an environment where you feel safe to open up and express yourself to me.

We can cause others to shut down or back away when we don’t respect who they are or let them be themselves. We need to give people the liberty to be themselves without trying to change them. When we love people and accept who they are, we give them the freedom to change and grow.

In good relationships, both parties look for ways to give and don’t always try to take advantage of each other. Ask yourself if you would want to be in a relationship with you. Be honest with yourself. If the answer is no, don’t be condemned, but just ask God to help you change and grow into the person people would be blessed to know. If the answer is yes, then begin to give yourself away to others, and allow them to see the beautiful person you are.

Relationships take effort. It takes respect. It takes love. It begins with God loving us, and we receive that love. Then, we love ourselves the way God loves us so we can then love others. As we keep this cycle of love going, our relationships will become healthy and solid.