The Glue That Holds it Together

Don't let selfishness and prideful agendas take over.

Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors' interests first.

PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4 THE VOICE

WHAT is the real bond of your friendships? In other words, what's the glue that holds the friendship together?

It's a good question to ask because bonds can be healthy or unhealthy. A bond can be made because of a shared love of Jesus, family, a common interest or hobby, or even work. These are all examples of healthy bonding.

However, a bond can also be made because of shared addictions in gambling, alcohol, or sex-all examples of unhealthy bonding. Our word reminds us beautifully today through Scripture to not let selfishness and prideful agendas take over and to look outside of ourselves.

Do you regard one another as more important than yourselves, or are you looking out for number one?

We are reminded to build each other up. A healthy bond does not need something outside of the relationship as an object of its attention for the bond to work. The bond IS each other with God as the glue holding it together.

TANGIBLE TAKEAWAY

Given the examples above for healthy and unhealthy bonds in friendships, assess your own. Do you bond for healthy or unhealthy reasons?

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I selfish or prideful?

• Do l embrace true humility?

• Do I extend love to others?

• Am I sincere?

• Do I secure my neighbors' interests first?

**excerpt from “We’re Still in This: 90 Healthy Truths for Happy Relationships” by Susan Goss