How To Strengthen Family Relationships by Putting God First: A Biblical Approach to Love

Family Faith

How to Measure Success in Relationships

Have you ever wondered how you're doing in your relationships? It's easy to get caught up in life and lose sight of what's most important, but relationships—whether with family, friends, or colleagues—are often at the center of our greatest joys and deepest heartaches.

It’s fascinating to think that the biggest regrets people have at the end of their lives have little to do with finances, career success, or possessions. Instead, they often revolve around relationships. At the heart of any successful relationship is one key element: LOVE.

If you’re like me, you might find yourself needing help when it comes to navigating relationships. Thankfully, the Bible provides the guidance we need to love others well. One passage that brings incredible clarity is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

This beautiful passage reveals the qualities that should mark our interactions with others. But how can we live this out practically? Here are three insights that will transform the way you view your relationships:

1. To Have a Strong Family Your Strongest Relationship Should Be with God

Before you can truly love others well, you must cultivate your relationship with God. As the Creator of love, He is the ultimate source of strength, grace, and wisdom in relationships. People were never designed to meet the deepest needs of your heart—that’s God’s role.

2. People Can't Fill the Role Only God Can Play

We often expect others to provide what only God can—whether it’s validation, fulfillment, or unconditional love. This can lead to frustration, disappointment, and strained relationships. By depending on God to meet our core needs, we release others from the impossible task of filling that role.

3. Shift Your Focus from Getting to Giving

When we approach relationships with a mindset of love, we stop asking, "What can I get?" and start asking, "What can I give?" Loving others well involves patience, kindness, humility, and sacrifice—traits we can only fully embody when we’re rooted in God’s love for us.

As you reflect on your relationships today, I encourage you to ask yourself: How is my relationship with God?Everything flows from that foundation. When we are deeply connected to God, we are empowered to love others in a way that brings life, healing, and joy.

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