Word Count: 385

Send Article To Friend

Print/Use Article

Contact Karla Downing

---

Christian Relationship Help: How to Love in a Difficult Relationship

by Karla Downing  
5/21/2012 / Relationships

Are you looking for Christian relationship help to know how to love in a difficult relationship? As Christians, we are commanded to love our neighbors, families, friends, and enemies. Love in a healthy reciprocal relationship is hard enough, but love in difficult relationships is even harder. Scriptural misunderstandings lead people to love wrongly in difficult relationships and as a result, they tolerate mistreatment and allow people to continue to choose destructive actions. What does it really mean to love in a difficult relationship?

The goal of love is for it not to hurt you and not to hurt the other person. Romans 13:10 says, "Love does no harm to its neighbor" (NIV). Love hurts you when it leads you to allow yourself to be mistreated and taken advantage of. Love hurts the other person when it leads you to enable wrongdoing that is ultimately destructive and not in the person's best interest.

Love includes compassionate toughness. Romans 2:4 says that God's kindness leads to repentance, but God also allows consequences, convicts of sin, and disciplines us for our own good. God's compassionate toughness desires that people do what is right because it is in their best long-term interest.

Love allows each person to be self-responsible. Galatians 6:5 says, "Each person is responsible for carrying his own load" (NIV). This self-responsibility also includes bearing the consequences of one's actions. Galatians 6:7-8 tells us that if we make choices that are good, we will reap good and if we make choices that are bad, we will reap bad. Love in relationships allows the other person to be responsible for his/her own choices and to suffer the consequences.

Love doesn't force; instead, it allows free choice. Each person has the right to decide for himself or herself. God loved us and let us choose to follow him or to sin. Jesus allowed the rich young ruler to turn down his offer of salvation and to walk away (Matthew 19:22). Love in relationships gives people the dignity to make personal choices for themselves--even if those choices aren't what is wanted or right.

As you can see, biblical love offers dignity and free choice but also self-responsibility. Its goal is to care for the other person and yourself.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Next, if you need more practical tips and Biblical truths to help you change your relationships, get my FREE "15-Day Relationship Challenge" designed to give you back the power over your life.

Just click here: http://www.Free15dayChallenge.com

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW

Read more articles by Karla Downing

Like reading Christian Articles? Check out some more options. Read articles in Main Site Articles, Most Read Articles or our highly acclaimed Challenge Articles. Read Great New Release Christian Books for FREE in our Free Reads for Reviews Program. Or enter a keyword for a topic in the search box to search our articles.

---

Enter comments below. Due to spam, all hyperlinks posted in the comments are now immediately disabled by our system.

Please type the following word below:

Not readable? Change text.

The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Hire a Christian Writer, Christian Writer Wanted, Christian Writer Needed, Christian Content Needed, Find a Christian Editor, Hire a Christian Editor, Christian Editor, Find a Christian Writer