A thought by Michael Todd, from his book, Relationship Goals (p. 31). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)
And it's not good for me to be alone.
Michael continues, "When we set up a life that is guarded and gated, the Enemy comes to attack us. When we’re isolated, we’re at more risk of listening to lies about who we are and coming to believe them as truth. We all need relationship with people who can remind us of the truth and dispel the falsehood, who can show us some of the love our hearts need, who can help us along our way. God knows this. And that’s why God wants relationship for us."
Michael says, "Is it hard for you to believe that a major part of God’s plan for your life involves relationship? He wants you to have healthy and successful relationships—yes, you, the one who is content working from home and taking online courses, does all your shopping on Amazon, and doesn’t like going to church because everyone always wants to hug you and the preacher enjoys making you turn to your neighbor to say something random. God created you to be in relationship with others, even if you’re introverted, you’re shy, you’ve been hurt before…or you’re just kinda over the whole 'needing other people' thing. And it’s a good thing too."
He goes on, "Have the courage to say, 'God wants relationship for me!'
"He wants you to have a best friend, even though the last one stabbed you in the back. He wants you to have pastors and mentors who create a safe place to grow and become. He wants you to be in a marriage that works and is marked by love, honor, respect, and fun. Granted, your past relationships might have been, well…the opposite of that. But God is a redeemer, so He can take whatever is broken and jacked up and work it for your good."
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 says, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer."
Michael then says, "You can usually tell whether a relationship is from God just by looking at this one qualification: Does this relationship help me? Think through all your close relationships and ask yourself that question about each one."
And that is a very good thought, isn't it? Yes, yes! #continuethought
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