Jesus-centered life leads me to healthy relationships …away from co-dependency.
In Ephesians 3:19 we discover that through God’s love we can be healthy. To be “made complete” or “filled” speaks of enjoying full health lacking nothing.
This is a “love gives” ethic. We see it in Romans 5:8, Philippians 2, & 1 Corinthians 13. Build lasting peace by “love gives”.
A Jesus-centered life (“love gives” ethic) will lead us away from the tyranny of self-centeredness and co-dependency:
1. Self-centeredness prioritizing a pleasing of myself that results in the disregard of the value of another. My thoughts/desires/dreams are more important than yours.
2. Co-dependency prioritizing the happiness of others to the point of disregard for the value of myself. The happiness of others is necessary for me to be at peace.
God loves you. God wants you to be happy, happier than you are now, and more fulfilled. This is possible when you receive a Jesus-focused alignment of your priorities.
This completely changes how I approach all human relationships. New sense of purpose for all human interaction.
Mutual benefit and mutual submission are essential tenants of Jesus-centered relationships.
Reconciliation, healing, repentance, and full restoration for relationships is part of God’s purpose.
“Love gives” ethic in our relationships is a result of a Jesus-centered life.
Healthy relationships that bring peace, by giving love, are the result.
Questions to help healthy relationships:
1. Have I received the love of God & responded to it?
2. Does my identity start with God?
3. Am I more dependent on God or people?
4. Do I understand the difference between enjoying a relationship and looking for ultimate fulfillment in it?
5. Am I living by God’s purpose for my relationships?
6. Is Jesus the center of my life?
7. In what ways can I step away from self-centeredness & co-dependency?
Action Items & Prayer for our relationships:
1. Let’s write out a list of our family members and primary relationships in our neighborhood, schools, and workplaces.
2. Let’s write out topics to pray over, for each person listed.
3. Thank God for each person.
4. Pray for each person.
5. Ask God what you should do for each person.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He’s done. Philippians 4:6
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18
Suggested Prayer: “Lord please help me to be more aware of the people you have put in my life. Please help me faithfully love them, help them, and be a faithful display of your love for them. Thank you for this opportunity today.”