Divine Principles for a Healthy Relationship Healthy relationships are a vital component of health and wellbeing. There is compelling evidence that strong relationships contribute to a long, healthy, and happy life. Conversely, the health risks from being alone or isolated in one's life are comparable to the risks associated with cigarette smoking, blood pressure, and obesity 7/14/20151

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honour. 7/14/20152

BENEFITS OF HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP Live longer A review of 148 studies found that people with strong social relationships are 50% less likely to die prematurely. Deal with stress. In a study of over 100 people, researchers found that people who completed a stressful task experienced a faster recovery when they were reminded of people with whom they had strong relationships 7/14/20153

Be healthier. In 2012 international Gallup poll found that people who feel they have friends and family to count on are generally more satisfied with their personal health than people who feel isolated. And hanging out with healthy people increases your own likelihood of health— 7/14/20154

The Rich Young Ruler Luke 10:27 Cf. Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18 It is exciting that from the response of the ruler we find principles for a healthy relationship 7/14/20155

Luke 10:27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” #1. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind #2. Love your neighbor as yourself #3 Love… yourself 7/14/20156

#1 Love… yourself Some people condemn self love, but Christ commended it. Yes, self love can be sinful when: *it replaces God in our lives *It displaces fellow human beings * when it leads to self-destruction But in order to shun this sinful self-love, some people become victims of self hate. The do not value their persons, live in self pity and even see themselves as worthless. 7/14/20157

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When you see ourselves in the mirror, do we like who you see? Too many people hate themselves. They forget that the Bible says, “Love…yourself.” (Luke 10:27). Why should we love ourselves? * God loves us regardless of our limitations physically, mentally, morally, or emotionally. God loves us just as we are. In spite of our inadequacies, Christ cares and loves us. 7/14/20159

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 7/14/201510

Healthy Self Love and Relationships 1. If I do not love myself, I make myself unlovable. I make it difficult for others to love me. 2.If I do not have love for my self, it is difficult for me to give love to somebody else; for I cannot share what I do not have. 3.If I do not love myself, it is difficult for me to accept the idea that someone really loves me. 7/14/201511

#2. Love your neighbour as yourself When a person has healthy love for self, then he/she can proceed to love and value a healthy relationship. The closest neighbour is my spouse. Marriages are where we must successfully learn to love our neighbours. A husband or wife cannot talk of how well he loves his/her other neighbour, if his/her other self taken up at marriage has not experienced that love. 7/14/201512

What are Some things I Expect from the others If I Love Myself Positive Attitude Healthy Relationship requires positive attitude towards others. Positive self image is characterized by respect, affection and empathy. Paying close attention to what's happening in each other's lives, especially our spouse, colleague can enhance a healthy relationship 7/14/201513

We Desire Forgiveness Healthy relationship experience forgiveness. Sometimes, it might be challenging to forgive and forget, but we can forgive and let it go. When we have done something wrong or hurtful, we can offer an apology. When we are the wronged party, we accept the gift of an apology. 7/14/201514

We seek strength in weakness No one has all it takes. We are not equally gifted. In fact, God created relationship for the principal purpose of companionship. That means, we are to be the strength of one another and in areas of weakness 7/14/201515

We seek to be Appreciated Everyone longs to be Appreciated, even for little efforts. In the same way, happy relationship affirm each other. 7/14/201516

We Desire to be Carried Along Our Self Image is enhanced when our opinions are sought in what concerns us. In the same, we need to also value the opinion of others, share, plan and act together. 7/14/201517

We seek Understanding and Patience When we make mistakes, we seek people’s understanding and patience. It is very important to also give understanding and be patient with our spouses, family and colleague when they make mistakes or do not meet our expectations. 7/14/201518

#3 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind. This is the most important ingredient of a healthy relationship. Since God is the source of all true love and healthy relationships are only when the partners come in contact with that Source 7/14/201519