Building Relationships That Last

  For the Audio Version, click here -  The Power of Words It is said that an average person speaks about 5000 to 10,000 words every day. This is because, as we realized from the previous topic, ‘Communication is Key,’ that communication is the key to relationships, and the most used method of communication is words. We communicate with family members, friends, neighbors, vendors, colleagues, and so many others on any given day. Interestingly relationships can be built up or broken down, depending on the words we speak. Here’s a powerful word from Proverbs 18:21 , “ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (ESV) That’s how powerful our words can be; they can either speak life to someone or literally be so hurtful, that they can despair of life. How not to use words 1. Gossip All of us have experienced the ill-effects of gossip. Gossip breaks trust, and also causes feelings to be hurt deeply. The definition of gossip as...

For the Audio Version, click here -  Communication is Key Communication, we can say, is the life-line to maintaining meaningful relationships. Today, more than ever before, there are myriad ways we can communicate with one another. The advancements in science and technology have placed before us, numerous options to communicate effectively, and the boom of social media has literally made the world a global village. Interestingly though, as individuals, and as a society we have distanced ourselves from each other, though the possibilities to communicate are simple and umpteen. Some of the common ways of communication are verbal, non-verbal, written, listening and visual. Most of us are using one or more of the above mentioned methods to communicate, and each of us is constantly communicating with someone or the other, whether we realize it or not. There are however, barriers to communication, and some of the common ones are, language, busyness, lack of trust and transparency, vary...

For the Audio Version, click here -  Resolving Conflict In any relationship, at some point there is bound to be conflict, and the closer we are to someone, the more likely that we will have disagreements over various issues. This is because as human beings, each one of us are different in our personalities, temperaments, up-bringing, and we each have our own values and priorities. Conflict therefore is unavoidable, and conflict in itself is not harmful. Nonetheless, if conflict is not handled in the appropriate way, it could certainly destroy relationships that have taken years to build.                                                                                              Some of the reasons for conflict are, lack of communication or miscommu...

  For the Audio Version, click here -  Forgiveness Frees   Have you observed how when children are little they find it easy to forgive one another? Most children are ready to apologize immediately, forget offenses, and get back into relationship with one another. However, as we grow older, forgiving others becomes a major issue. Relationships at every level are broken or shattered, simply because many choose to continue on without forgiving those who offended them. The bible gives us a good understanding of the kind of forgiveness that God extends to us, and also clearly explains the kind of forgiveness we must offer others. The way Joseph forgave The story of Joseph as recorded in Genesis Chapters 37 to 50 is a truly incredible account. Joseph, the favorite son of his father Jacob, was thrown into a pit and sold into slavery by his own brothers, because of their intense hatred and envy against him. The Lord was with Joseph through all the ups and downs of his li...