Life is complex. Did you ever think about that? Just think of all the relationships. If you’re married, then you have a relationship with your spouse. If you also have kids, then you have your relationship with your spouse plus your relationship with your kids plus your *spouse’s* relationship with the kids. Add in the relationship that each sub-group has with each other, overlay that with relationships with the Lord… then sprinkle in relationships with close friends, in-laws and colleagues… Shew. No *wonder* life is complex. Makes me tired just thinking about it! :-)

So how can we make it easier? Well, perhaps there are no easy answers. But here are some lessons I’m starting to draw on half a century of life.

*** Treat others like you want to be treated — Golden rule. Duh. :-)
*** Never, never, never give up on any relationship.
*** Assume the best; grant grace before it is requested.
*** Avoid ever bringing up past failures (sins?) committed by those you love.
*** And in all your relationships, walk in Jesus’ steps.

There are other important conclusions, but if we could just master those, we’d be well on our way to eliminating some officially high percentage points of all stressful exchanges we would ever have had.

So what are we waiting for!? Let’s get started.

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