The Influence of Relationships with Highs and Lows of Life
I believe relationships influence the highs and lows of our lives. A client who is seeing me for anxiety might come in one week- happy, hopeful, and optimistic. I ask about her mood. In previous weeks she has been anxious, flat, and disengaged. She says she met a guy, went on a date, and now has a boyfriend (happily speaking).
Affect and mood have done a 180. She should be happy. Does she still struggle with anxiety? Yes.
God's Design in Relationships
It’s all about design. God has designed us to be connected with each other. In a way, breakups reveal this design, “It’s not supposed to be this way”; “It was mutual, but still hurts.” If breakups did not hurt, either for both parties, one, or the other, then we are not designed for connection. Follow the hurt.
Let‘s look at the emotion of fear. There are many passages in the Bible that talk about fear (Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:8, 1 John 4:18). Notice the solution in these passages is not holding on to a certain cognition; it’s a relationship with God. It’s not logic or a bible verse that casts out fear, but perfect love.
Our physical relationships represent what we have been created for, a relationship with God. They should make you happy (and sometimes sad), even if you struggle with anxiety, depression, etc.
Cowtown Christian Counseling serves Fort Worth with relationship counseling from a Christian perspective. Please reach out if you would like some help.
