The Way of True Love
By Norma Miller
January 1, 2015
Two major components in relationships worth having are trust and communication. If either of these components are missing, there is breakdown.
If you cannot trust someone, usually you do not feel too inclined to build a relationship with him or her. On the other hand, if you feel that someone does not trust you, you often feel quite disrespected.
Lack of communication also quickly causes a feeling of disrespect. Clear, loving communication, even in difficult circumstances, often prevents misunderstandings and much grief. Avoiding communication about difficult issues often causes questions to arise in the relationship and at least one party will feel disrespected. Of course, it is good to take some time to think things over and to pray, but then it is a good idea to clearly and kindly communicate your perspective and to give the other party an opportunity to share their perspective, as well.
Basically, offering others the same respect and honor that we would like to benefit from in a relationship goes a long way. Of course, it is always easier to see how others are not doing that for us, while we are oblivious to the fact that we are not providing those things to others.
We need a divine relationship, or a connection with the Divine One, to develop the love and wisdom needed for other relationships. Having a heart-to-heart connection with God and experiencing intimacy with Him exposes us to pure love—the kind of love that removes our own hurts and insecurities, and frees us to love the way He does. Knowing how He views us, and being secure in that knowledge, releases us from needing to know how others view us, and frees us from the bondage that comes from needing their approval. It also opens our eyes to how Jesus sees others, and enables us to love them with His love, to communicate lovingly, and to give honor and respect, even when it is not deserved.
This is the way of Jesus—the way of true love.
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