The Challenge of Relationships

“In your relationships with one another, you should have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:5 

Our relationships change and become more complicated as we grow. We start out as children with parents, siblings, and cousins. Then, as time goes on, we add in playdates, high school best friends, neighbors, coworkers, spouses, in-laws, and more.
 
As our relationships change, we often need time to adjust. It can’t be easy when your new boss was your coworker just a few weeks ago before they were promoted.  And it can’t be easy for a newlywed to adjust to the close relationships that come with the family that they married into.
 
Paul says, “In your relationships with one another, you should have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Christ gave up his glory in heaven and humbled Himself to become a human being like us. As a result, we have a Savior “who has been tempted in ­every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin”; therefore Christ can “empathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15). 

So, we can follow Christ’s example with complete confidence because He understands us and the challenge of relationships.  Truthfully, for a relationship to work, both parties need to follow Jesus’s example of humility. Are we willing to humble ourselves and submit to others “out of reverence for Christ”? (Eph 5:21)
 
Heavenly Father, help us to follow Christ’s example in building healthy relationships through humbly submitting to each other with patience. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
 
By: Pastor Mark White