Go Vertical

Family, friends, a boyfriend / husband, co-workers, or even acquaintances - you have many relationships that require time, attention, and Christ-like love. No need to be overwhelmed, the secret to relationships simple.

Go vertical before you go horizontal. 

Go Vertical: To enjoy abundant, Christ centered relationships, you must first be filled up and satisfied by your relationship with the Lord. "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19). As you foster your vertical relationship with the Lord through prayer and studying the Word, you will feel God's love for you so much that His love will overflow into your relationships. Christ in you will be the friend, daughter, wife / girlfriend, co-worker, etc. The Holy Spirit will give you love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22) to bless and encourage everyone you know.

Then, Go Horizontal. When you go vertical FIRST, you will see a radical difference in your horizontal relationships! Why? Your relationships will be an overflow of your relationship with the Lord. You will not be looking horizontally for needs only God can fulfill. You will "love at all times" (Prov. 17:17) - no matter the circumstance - because Christ loves you at all times. You will forgive, because Christ forgives you (Eph. 4:32). You will encourage, because God's Word encourages you (1 Tim. 6:12). You will invite instead of wait to be invited, because Christ invites you to His throne every day (Psalm 45:10-11). And BONUS: You will not only love your friends but also your enemies, just as Jesus commands: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27)

So if you are struggling in any relationship, before you go out and try to fix it yourself or get stuck in the "I'm going to try really hard to be a better at this relationship" mindset, go vertical. Then, let the Lord take care of every horizontal relationship in and through you.