Fourteen Rules for Happy Relationships

From marriage to work to the clerk in the store, it’s all about how you treat people. Jesus said, “Treat other people the way you would want them to treat you.” Here are fourteen specific ways to apply it.

1. Smile

2. Take the initiative - most people are insecure, so say “Hi” first

3. Set the tone for every interaction by projecting the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)

4. Look for God’s image in everyone

5. Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative – choose to focus on things you like about the other person and things they are doing right

6. Watch your mouth – Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement (Ephesians 4:29)

7. Pay attention – To get anything worthwhile you have to pay something, to get a good relationship you have to pay attention

8. Don’t take offense – choose to give the benefit of the doubt

9. Give the defense a rest – proving your innocence is not always the most important thing

10. Look for win-win – relationships are not a zero-sum game

11. Ask, “Which is more important: getting my way, or this relationship?”

12. Pray God’s blessings for the other person

13. Look for ways to be God’s blessing for the other person

14. Love ‘em all and let God sort ‘em out

What if it still doesn’t work? “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). A relationship is a two-way street, and some people just won’t cooperate. Don’t let them make you feel guilty about it.