When you think of Christian relationships, most people seem to believe that just because two people read their Bibles, pray, and go to church, they are destined to be together. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Every relationship reaches turning points that could seemingly threaten the end of the relationship. You may even be in a relationship right now and wondering if your current problem is the one that will make him call it quits.
Your relationship is continually being tested, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. When we hear the word “test,” we think of the performance anxiety we feel at the thought of failing a challenging test we weren’t prepared for.
But testing can also be a positive thing because it helps to prove what’s authentic and valuable.
Every relationship goes through a type of testing that is ultimately clarifying. The test results indicate the direction you should take – either breaking up or breaking through to a stronger commitment.
Is It Real?
My daughter and I love to go to antique shows and flea markets. At one flea market, we were looking at some old silver rings that were a bit tarnished. We couldn’t see the microscopic markings and were wondering if the rings were sterling silver, but we had no way of verifying that. The antique dealer at the booth showed us how to test for sterling silver by using a magnet: sterling silver is non-ferrous, and won’t cling to a magnet.
In the same way, we have to let our relationships be tested to see what they’re made of: is there a foundation of forgiveness and an expectation that ongoing grace is necessary?
Is there an attitude of respect for each other?
Is God at the center of your relationship, with the two of you leaning on His direction to guide you through the challenging times?
Your relationship doesn’t have to derail when you hit a problem. It may not be time to break up; instead, you can break through to a new level of understanding and a higher level of love.
Not sure if your current relationship is ready to go the distance? Here are four questions that can help you evaluate the strength of your relationship:
Can we talk about it?
Healthy relationships excel in communication. Verbally expressing your intentions and using words of affirmation are important, but so is communicating through eye contact and through action.
One of the best ways to truly communicate well in your relationship is to learn how to pray with each other and let God in on the problems you face and the desires of your hearts.
Do we harbor resentment?
Built up resentment can lead to an explosive turning point in your relationship that is hard to recover from. And forgiveness is not a one-time deal.
You shouldn’t ignore serious problems, but as you speak the truth in love to each other, you’ll need to express and walk in continual forgiveness.
Are we repeating patterns of dysfunction from our pasts?
Everyone brings some “baggage” into their current relationship, but not everyone is willing to work through their past problems and pain.
Some people walk in denial of their problems, and relationships can suffer under the weight of repeated blowups born out of unhealthy patterns of coping.
Do we both have the same outcome in mind for our relationship?
If one person is looking forward to marriage and building a family, but the other partner is not really commitment-focused, this could be the turning point in your relationship where you realize your hopes for your futures just don’t line up.
This test is always a win-win, even if you don’t pass the test with your partner. You both will want to know if you are right for each other, so you can gracefully free each other up if you discover you’re not doing well in these areas.
If you do find agreement in these four areas, your relationship will be strengthened. Passing these tests in your relationship will give you a focused love where your strength as a couple has multiplied through every challenge you’ve faced.
You’ll both feel satisfied with the reality of not just how strong your relationship is, but how much you now have to look forward to.
