Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Ecclesiastes 4:9
Many of the good things in our lives must be fought for. It's true, isn't it? If you are in your dream job, it's because you worked hard, improved your skillset, and put in long hours to get there. If you own the house you have always dreamed of, it's because you worked to secure a stable job, saved money, and paid off debt. If you are in good health, you probably eat well and exercise. Many of the good things in our lives must be fought for. The same is true in our marriages. If we want to have healthy, strong marriages, we must fight for them. Today, we are going to learn how to have healthy relationships.
Ecclesiastes 4 explains the importance of living life in relationship with other people. Without living in relationship with others, the author states that life is "meaningless and depressing" (verse 8). He then states that "two people are better than one, for they can help each other succeed" (verse 9). He continues by saying that "a person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer" (verse 12). Haven't you found this to be true in healthy relationships? In a healthy relationship, you both have each other's backs. You fight for and with each other. You are better together than you would be apart.
Fighting for our relationships, especially our marriages, takes effort. It takes perseverance and hard work. It takes discipline. It takes determination. We have to decide to fight to have strong relationships. We have to work hard to support and fight for each other. Will you determine today to be the kind of spouse, family member, and friend who fights to have strong relationships? Yes, it takes hard work, but when we do this, the reward far outweighs the cost.
Are you fighting to have healthy relationships? If you are married, are you fighting to have a healthy marriage? If you are married, do something for your spouse today to let them know that you care about them and are willing to fight for your marriage. Maybe that means setting aside time this evening to spend with your spouse instead of watching your favorite television show. Maybe it means you have a difficult conversation that you have been avoiding, with the willingness to listen and consider to your spouse's opinion and point of view. Whatever it means, let your spouse know today that you are willing to fight for your marriage. If you are single, you also need to work hard to have strong relationships. Is there someone you currently have a conflict with? If so, reach out to that person and seek to resolve that conflict with them in a way that honors God and shows that person you are willing to fight to have a strong relationship with them.
Read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 (NLT)
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
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. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
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