Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
PROGRAM D-7349
Maybe you need to do some repair work in your life and plug up those energy leaks that are keeping you from being all you can be. Here’s:
Energy Leak #6 – Relationship Problems
I really believe that we often allow relationship problems to grow and develop and then they occupy so much of our time and energy, that we don’t have much left over for other things.
Of course, whether single or married, we all have relationships that can be very draining. If you’re having trouble with your manager or a coworker, a child, a mate, a relative or a friend, all of these are exhausting and can become energy gushers, not just leaks!
Just recently I received a letter from a nurse, telling me about a difficult coworker on her job. This person is causing her so many problems that she can’t get her work done well, ends up each day in frustration and stress, and is thinking of leaving a job she really likes because of a difficult relationship. I think we’ve all been there in some way or another, and we can testify that difficult relationships drain your energy like crazy!
What do we do to plug up this energy leak? Well, listen to Titus 3:1-2: “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” If we all practiced this in our relationships with others, we’d find most relationship problems would go away or at least be diminished.
First, be in subjection to the authorities over you. That includes your management, your pastor, your leaders in any capacity. Then obey those you are supposed to obey. Look for good things to do for these people who are difficult, never slander them or say anything bad about them to others, don’t stir up fights or arguments with them, and don’t brag about yourself to them. You see, we may not be able to control that person who we’re having difficulty with, but we can control how we treat them.
Even if that person never changes and continues to be difficult to deal with, you will plug up that energy leak when you treat them as the Bible tells you to, because they won’t be able to get to you anymore like they are now.