Commitment to Relationships (Victorious Secrets, Pt. 2)

One of the secrets to winning in relationships is covenant. Covenant in relationships is based on mutual commitment. God is the author of covenant and that is why commitment is essential to having a healthy relationship. If you look to what He says about covenant and choose to live in that principle, you will succeed. He is the one who designed relationships, so let the one who designed relationships, define your relationships. Don't try to do it on your own, leaving God out of the process. God is waiting for you to come back to His ways of doing things. Healthy relationships involve choices. People don’t always feel like being committed but must choose to be committed. It’s important to remember that relationship decisions affect more than just the two. They affect those around them and the generations following. Instead of packing bags and taking off when things are bad, keep in mind, that's when those you are in relationship with need you the most. And vice versa. In those tough, hard times covenant matters more than ever. Covenant is needed on the worst day. Guard your heart and be faithful. Make a choice to love. Make a choice to serve. Make a choice to reach out even though you may have been hurt.

In Luke 22:20, Jesus introduced the concept of the new covenant, confirming the new covenant with His blood that He would pour out for us. In our lives, we find that blood relationships are very important and often easier to stand by because of the blood connection. This might cause us to question whether a spouse, who is not blood related, is as important as a blood relative. But your spouse is in covenant with you. Be careful to not redefine your covenant relationships. Again, God is the designer, the creator of relationship and following His design is the ideal way of living and loving. He does not see us as a disposable relationship and neither should we view our loved ones as disposable. No matter what, He says, “Welcome Home”. In God vs World, we find such a different perspective regarding relationships. Take covenants and contracts. Covenant is based on mutual commitment; “I'm not leaving.” Contract is based on mutual distrust. “You're probably going to mess up and we want to make sure we're ok when you do.” A covenant surrenders rights and assumes responsibilities. A contract protects rights and avoids responsibility. Covenant has the interest of the other person in mind. Contract has personal convenience in mind. You will never know the power of your relationship, unless you make a covenant commitment. You will only know if commitment works if you do it. Make the choice. Renew your commitments if you've failed in the past. Look forward and start again today.

Here are two victorious secrets to help you:

Love is not a feeling, it's a choice. Your feelings will lie to you. Love doesn't give someone what they deserve but gives them what they need. Col 3:14 describes love as something you have to put on. Clothe yourself with love. Choices lead, feelings follow. Tap into God’s mercy and grace. Capacity to love comes from receiving love. 1 John 4:19 states “We love because He first loved us.” God is the source of love and we must receive it from Him. “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:17-19

Our relationship with God is the most important relationship we can have. He is the strong foundation on which all other relationships should be built. Call on Him and He will answer. Ask and you will receive. He is waiting for you.