SLP105 - Relationship Transitions : How To Deal with Testing, Change, and Seasons

We’re going to continue talking about relationships, since they’re so important. How do we navigate changes in relationships? Are all relationships meant to last a lifetime? What do you do when a relationship is tested? What do you do when a relationship’s season has come to an end? How do we steward the transitions in relationships from one level to another?

Today on the program, we will be looking at these kinds of questions, and talking about how to steward the different seasons in our relationships.

There are three things that bring change (positive or negative) to a relationship.

1. Testing
2. Seasons
3. Personal Choice

What Brings Testing?

• A traumatic event
• An offense
• Hurt feelings
• Hard words
• Betrayal

Your reaction determines how the “test” is scored.

Seasons

Not every relationship is for a season. As you move from one season in your life to another, your relationships will have to adjust, grow with you, or be left behind. As tough as it may be to reconcile, as your life moves to the next level, not every relationship you have today is meant to continue on with you.

Personal Choice

When you DECIDE to do things differently in life, this creates a demand on your present relationships that needs to be answered. Some people feel you’ve abandoned them, when simply, you’ve answered God’s calling in your life.

7 Things You Can Do When A Relationship Is Tested

1. Don’t react ~ Be still.
2. Pray
3. Look in the mirror and take accountability
4. When your heart is right, go to the person and talk
5. Seek to understand
6. Offer and receive forgiveness
7. Reset

7 Things To Check When A Relationship Is Changing

1. Know Thyself: Understand your season
2. Is the relationship ending or changing?
3. What is God requiring of you?
4. Has your change in direction constituted a separation or an adjustment?
5. Is this relationship moving from one level to another?
6. Has the relationship become toxic or limiting to your moving with God in this season?
7. Does this relationship add to you or take from you?