Relationships

Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.  Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.  (Psalm 142:7 NIV)

Just what do people in a relationship expect from each other, anyway? In recovery we first accept ourselves as spiritual children of a Loving God who are in need of healing.  We believe that God wants us to feel loved and cared for.  Jesus said we must be born again and when we accept all that He has done for us that is exactly what happens.  We are born anew into the Kingdom of God, become His children, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit guaranteeing what is to come.

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.  It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.  (2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NLT)

Many people in recovery bypass this action of a loving relationship with God and end up demanding security, acceptance, love, and appreciation from others. Many things go wrong in relationships when we approach others with "rights" and "expectations".  No one owes us anything and, what they give us, or refuse to give us, doesn’t change the God given value that is ours as beloved children of a loving Heavenly Father.  We are cared for by God and filled with His sustaining Spirit every moment of each day. 

In order to become healthy people we must give up our expectations that other people will meet our needs.  Meaningful relationships will happen when we stop seeking others to meet our needs.  God’s promise is that He will meet each person’s need.  As we grow in our relationship with God, and follow His guidance, we will continue to form safe and caring relationships with others.  The fruit of the Spirit will be evident in our lives as we continue to build our relationship with God and with others according to His direction.

… when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control…(Galatians 5:22-23 TLB)

Today, why not draw close to God and seek His help in building healthy relationships.

©2015 Partners in Hope  

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