Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. Ephesians 5:1-2
Have you ever heard, “You can’t change someone else”? It’s true that you cannot change the person you love, but you can and do influence him or her every day. That is a reality that exist in healthy Relationships. Healthy Relationships affords you the opportunity to influence others as you serve ✨God in their lives 🙏❤💖.
If you are still trying to change the individuals whom you relate with by selfish intentions, then you may be a manipulator. You reason, If I do this, then spouse , Children or friends will do that or If I can make them miserable enough or happy enough, then I’ll get what I want.
I hate to discourage you, but you are on a dead-end road.
Even if you manage to get your spouse, children or friends to change, your manipulation will foster resentment. And resentment is the fuel that ignite bitterness in Relationships, which ultimately destroys the Relationships.
A better approach is to be a positive influence on your spouse , Children and Friends.
You influence by your words and actions. If you look for something your spouse, Children or Friends are doing that you like and give verbal compliments, you are having a positive influence.
If you do something that you know your spouse , Children or Friends will like, your actions have a wholesome influence.
If you treat your spouse, Children or Friends with respect and kindness, your example begins to rub off.
In Ephesians 5, Paul instructs us to follow the example of Christ and live with love. Just as a small boy imitates his father, so we should imitate our heavenly Father. God’s love 💘❤💖 is genuine, trusting and sacrificial in nature. It seeks the best of the individual who receives it at all times.
When we follow that perfect model, we can’t help but positively influence the ones we love.
The reality of the power of positive influence holds tremendous potential for troubled marriages 💑, friendship and relationships.
Prayer 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻.
Lord, I know you are the perfect model of love, and I want to imitate you. As I do that, I pray that I would be a positive influence on my spouse, Children and Friends.
Shalom.