The definition of the word “respect” is somewhat complex. It includes admiration as well as the taking into consideration of another person’s wishes or to use the dictionary’s actual words: “a courteous regard for people’s feelings”. It can also include obedience, when referring to child/parent relationships.
When we respect someone, we can look up to them and/or we can do something that may not be a normal choice for us, but we know that the other person would prefer it.
If we cannot trust another person, then there is really no relationship. When considering the definition of trust, I find it difficult to separate unselfishness from trust. What do you think? Think about the following comments.
A person who openly displays characteristics of selfishness is not someone whom you will readily trust. You will know that in moments of stress or life crisis, you could never count on them to help or support you. They will be too busy thinking about themselves.
We need to come to grips with the reality that no one is perfect. Sooner or later, everyone around us will fail us in some way.
At least they will not always live up to our expectations of them, because our expectations will probably be above what they are really capable of doing at times.
The question is, how are you going to react when they fail? You need to ask yourself honestly …
Have you meet people who will tell you this? “We have a perfect relationship, we never have any reason to have to forgive”, or something similiar. I know I have.
Do you believe them? That’s a good question! I am not sure I do. No human being is perfect. We all make mistakes at some time or another. In a tense moment we are all capable of doing and saying things we may regret later.
So my conclusion is, we ALL need to learn to forgive because there WILL be a time (or times) in our lives when we need to exercise this grace no matter how perfect the relationship.
No matter how good a relationship may be, there will always be times when it will be neccesary to forgive. No human being is perfect, and one of the major things that destroys relationships is unforgiveness.
We need to understand that the real issue is not what happened to us, or what the person or group of people did to us, but rather what we did with the situation. Did the situation make us bitter or better?
In this series we are going to look at some In this series we are going to look at some of the ingredients that go together to make good relationship, as well as the challenges that can be faced in maintaining a good relationship.
I would love to hear your comments, your experiences and your wisdom. Please do leave your comments.
You will probably be expecting trust to be the first on the list of good ingredients, but ,,
