Loneliness is one of the most empty and hopeless feelings anyone can have. God said very early on, “it’s not good for man to be alone.” Living life to its fullest is a group project. We are all in this together. Relationships matter. They can build us up and make us better, or they can pull us down and make us bitter. The health of your relationships has a lot to do with your sense of fulfillment in life. However, maintaining healthy relationships can be challenging. Here’s a passage that provides some key guidelines for growing and maintaining healthy relationships.
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)
Some of your relationships will require a little more compassion and kindness. How are you doing in the practice of humility, gentleness and patience? Who do you need to bear with just a little longer and extend the very forgiveness that Jesus granted you? Developing healthy relationships is never easy. People are individually complex and even more complicated as a group, and the dynamics are always changing. It’s not uncommon for a team member to be unintentionally overlooked and for them to feel isolated.
As a Christian leader, you have the responsibility to be a positive influence on others through establishing healthy relationships. No one on your team should ever feel lonely. This is no simple task. But healthy relationships are essential to leading a healthy organization. Business expert and author Patrick Lencioni believes that the health of your organization is the number one factor that will give you the greatest advantage in the marketplace. Healthy organizations are noticeably more positive, productive, profitable and purposeful than those that are relationally unhealthy.
According to Paul, love is “the perfect bond of unity.” Genuine love is the glue that holds relationships together, even in the workplace. We love because He first loved us. When we show love for others, we are reflecting the very nature of God to them.
On occasion, as the leader, you may even feel lonely. This can especially be true when tough decisions have to be made. In those moments, remember Jesus said He will never leave you or forsake you. No one should ever feel lonely in their workplace, including you. Today, simply rest in God’s love for you and those on your team, and you’ll realize you are never really alone.