Divine Principles for a Healthy Relationship

• Healthy relationships are a vital component of health and wellbeing. There is compelling evidence that strong relationships contribute to a long, healthy, and happy life. Conversely, the health risks from being alone or isolated in one's life are comparable to the risks associated with cigarette smoking, blood pressure, and obesity04/19/23 1

• Romans 12:10

• Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honour.

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BENEFITS OF HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

• Live longer• A review of 148 studies found that people with

strong social relationships are 50% less likely to die prematurely.

• Deal with stress.• In a study of over 100 people, researchers found

that people who completed a stressful task experienced a faster recovery when they were reminded of people with whom they had strong relationships04/19/23 3

• Be healthier. • In 2012 international Gallup poll found that people

who feel they have friends and family to count on are generally more satisfied with their personal health than people who feel isolated. And hanging out with healthy people increases your own likelihood of health—

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The Rich Young Ruler

• Luke 10:27• Cf. Deut. 6:5 and

Lev. 19:18

• It is exciting that from the response of the ruler we find principles for a healthy relationship

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• Luke 10:27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

#1. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind

#2. Love your neighbor as yourself#3 Love… yourself

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#1 Love… yourself• Some people condemn self love, but Christ

commended it.

• Yes, self love can be sinful when:• *it replaces God in our lives• *It displaces fellow human beings• * when it leads to self-destructionBut in order to shun this sinful self-love, some people

become victims of self hate. The do not value their persons, live in self pity and even see themselves as worthless.

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• When you see ourselves in the mirror, do we like who you see?

• Too many people hate themselves. They forget that the Bible says, “Love…yourself.” (Luke 10:27).

• Why should we love ourselves?• * God loves us regardless of our limitations

physically, mentally, morally, or emotionally. God loves us just as we are. In spite of our inadequacies, Christ cares and loves us.

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• Psalm 139:14• I praise you because I am fearfully and

wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

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Healthy Self Love and Relationships

• 1. If I do not love myself, I make myself unlovable. I make it difficult for others to love me.

• 2.If I do not have love for my self, it is difficult for me to give love to somebody else; for I cannot share what I do not have.

• 3.If I do not love myself, it is difficult for me to accept the idea that someone really loves me.

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#2. Love your neighbour as yourself

• When a person has healthy love for self, then he/she can proceed to love and value a healthy relationship.

• • The closest neighbour is my spouse. Marriages are

where we must successfully learn to love our neighbours.

• A husband or wife cannot talk of how well he loves his/her other neighbour, if his/her other self taken up at marriage has not experienced that love.04/19/23 12

What are Some things I Expect from the others If I Love Myself

• Positive Attitude• Healthy Relationship requires

positive attitude towards others.

• Positive self image is characterized by respect, affection and empathy.

• Paying close attention to what's happening in each other's lives, especially our spouse, colleague can enhance a healthy relationship

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We Desire Forgiveness

• Healthy relationship experience forgiveness. Sometimes, it might be challenging to forgive and forget, but we can forgive and let it go.

• When we have done something wrong or hurtful, we can offer an apology.

• When we are the wronged party, we accept the gift of an apology.

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We seek strength in weakness

• No one has all it takes.

• We are not equally gifted. • In fact, God created

relationship for the principal purpose of companionship.

• That means, we are to be the strength of one another and in areas of weakness

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We seek to be Appreciated• Everyone longs to be

Appreciated, even for little efforts.

• In the same way, happy relationship affirm each other.

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We Desire to be Carried Along

• Our Self Image is enhanced when our opinions are sought in what concerns us.

• In the same, we need to also value the opinion of others, share, plan and act together.

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We seek Understanding and Patience • When we make mistakes,

we seek people’s understanding and patience.

• It is very important to also give understanding and be patient with our spouses, family and colleague when they make mistakes or do not meet our expectations.

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• #3 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.

• This is the most important ingredient of a healthy relationship.

• Since God is the source of all true love and healthy relationships are only when the partners come in contact with that Source

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