How to Think About Those You Love

Learning How to Be a Person That Others Want to Be Around

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify

(strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (AMPC)

I can tell you from experience that the easiest way to damage a friendship or relationship is to look at a person and think, You’re never going to change. Thank God that He believes we can change and chooses to continue working with us to improve.

In the early years of my marriage to Dave, my behavior was at its worst. I really had no idea how to behave in a healthy relationship. My thoughts about what to expect out of marriage were all messed up and unrealistic.

Looking back, when I ask Dave what enabled him to stick with me, he says, “I knew that God could change you.” Wow!

Dave’s belief that God could change me was a key factor in my healing. I only felt love from him. Sadly, most of the time I couldn’t receive it, but that didn’t stop him from being who he was. He kept offering love, and he remained joyful.

Similarly, God keeps giving even if we have not yet learned how to receive, and we can learn to do the same thing in our relationships with other people. Even if you see no change at all yet, you can continue believing that God is working.

If you’re struggling with someone who you think will never change, begin to fill your mind with thoughts like, I believe God is working and all things are possible with Him. You will feel better, and your attitude toward the person will be much better.

I have learned that I am not responsible for the changes in others—God is. I am only responsible to fulfill the law of Christ, which is love! Sometimes, I think we focus too much on the results instead of just being fulfilled in knowing we are doing what God is asking of us.

We have all heard amazing stories of how people have been changed by God. Many of them involve God using someone who was willing to believe and not give up on them.

Your thoughts, attitudes, and actions can play an important role in someone’s transformation. Let God use you. Start believing that anybody can change.

Prayer: “Father, help me to see the people in my life the way You see them. Let me always be an encouragement and support—looking for the good and believing the best. I ask You to continue working in the lives of my loved ones, just as Your Word says You will. We can’t change ourselves, but You can change us and make us more like You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Walk It Out: Read the following Scriptures: Ezekiel 36:26; Philippians 1:6; John 15:5; Luke 1:37. Now, using these verses as your basis, take a few moments to pray for those who are close to you.