I wrote this blog a while back, and to this day, it is still one of my most read blogs. So I would update it and expand on it a little.
In 1992 Bill Clinton's successful presidential campaign against President George H. W. Bush was summed up in the phrase, "The economy, stupid." That one phrase was credited with the Clintons election. That's because it connected at a personal level with the people.
Now I know some of you are shuddering at me using the "S" word. But it has to be said. Everything rises and falls on relationships. Think about it. We say, "It's not what you know; it's who you know." How many times have you known someone to get a job because they knew someone in the company?
In the presidential election, George H. W. Bush was perceived as someone who was out of touch with the people. Relationships!! John Maxwell says, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." If your relationship is being perceived as uncaring, you don't have a relationship.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Friendships are valuable and worthy endeavors for us to pursue. The Bible says that our friends should encourage and build us up. That they can help us develop the necessary life and faith skills we need.
Then why are we becoming a society that is more isolated and alone than ever before? What is driving us apart? We work with the same people, but we never get to know them. We live next door to the same neighbors, but we never learn their names. We go to church and stay as anonymous as possible.
Recently I hear this statement. We are the most in debt, obese, and over medicated generation ever in American history. But why? Because we want to stop the negative emotions that haunt our souls. So we spend, eat, and pop pills until we feel better. The problem is, we never feel better, so we do more of the same.
Here is a suggestion. Talk to a friend. I know that this thought may scare the daylights out of you. But hear me out. Sit down with someone whom you trust. Ask them to keep the confidence and pour out your heart to them. Not to solve anything, talk, friends listen and help.
Jesus is the one who is closer than a brother. Tell Him what is on your heart. He will listen.
PRAY: Dear Jesus, help me talk to someone today. AMEN
In 1992 Bill Clinton's successful presidential campaign against President George H. W. Bush was summed up in the phrase, "The economy, stupid." That one phrase was credited with the Clintons election. That's because it connected at a personal level with the people.
Now I know some of you are shuddering at me using the "S" word. But it has to be said. Everything rises and falls on relationships. Think about it. We say, "It's not what you know; it's who you know." How many times have you known someone to get a job because they knew someone in the company?
In the presidential election, George H. W. Bush was perceived as someone who was out of touch with the people. Relationships!! John Maxwell says, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." If your relationship is being perceived as uncaring, you don't have a relationship.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Friendships are valuable and worthy endeavors for us to pursue. The Bible says that our friends should encourage and build us up. That they can help us develop the necessary life and faith skills we need.
Then why are we becoming a society that is more isolated and alone than ever before? What is driving us apart? We work with the same people, but we never get to know them. We live next door to the same neighbors, but we never learn their names. We go to church and stay as anonymous as possible.
Recently I hear this statement. We are the most in debt, obese, and over medicated generation ever in American history. But why? Because we want to stop the negative emotions that haunt our souls. So we spend, eat, and pop pills until we feel better. The problem is, we never feel better, so we do more of the same.
Here is a suggestion. Talk to a friend. I know that this thought may scare the daylights out of you. But hear me out. Sit down with someone whom you trust. Ask them to keep the confidence and pour out your heart to them. Not to solve anything, talk, friends listen and help.
Jesus is the one who is closer than a brother. Tell Him what is on your heart. He will listen.
PRAY: Dear Jesus, help me talk to someone today. AMEN
Comments