As Christians, one of the primary ways we serve God is through our relationships. Whether in our marriages, friendships, family ties, or interactions with others, God has called us to love and serve one another, reflecting His character in all we do. Serving God through relationships requires intention, humility, and a deep understanding of God’s Word.

Love as the Foundation of Service

In every relationship, love must be the foundation. Jesus said in John 13:34-35 (KJV), "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Loving others as Christ loves us is a high calling that requires selflessness, patience, and grace.

True love is not just a feeling but an action. It manifests in how we treat those around us, respond in challenging situations, and choose to support and uplift others. Serving God through love means that we seek the g...

Many personality models have developed over history. A scientist named Lewis Goldberg developed the “The Big Five.”

Combining these five personality factors can accurately describe a person’s personality and predict their behavior and success in life quite well.

Use “The Big Five” to understand your personality and gain insight into your current challenges:

1. Extraversion. On one end of this scale are the extroverts, and on the other are the introverts. Most of us lie somewhere in between.

•  Think of introverts as those who gain energy while spending time alone. They tend to tire from social interactions. Introverts are frequently introspective, reserved, and quiet. They often, but not always, lack social confidence.
  
  
•  Extroverts are just the opposite. Being alone drains their energy, and they are recharged by spending time with others. Extroverts are commonly described as friendly, socially confident, talkative, energetic, and assertive.

2. Agreeableness. Th...

Many people reflect on their relationships on Valentine's Day, celebrating love and companionship. For Christian women, it is a perfect opportunity to evaluate our relationships and ensure that they are Christ-centered, reflecting the love of God in every interaction.

Relationships are a gift from God, whether romantic, familial, friendships or even professional connections. These relationships will help us grow in faith, love, and our walk with Christ. On Valentine’s Day, we often focus on romantic love, but this is also a day to nurture our relationships by aligning them with the biblical principles of love, kindness, and grace.

Love in All Relationships

In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (KJV), we find one of the most famous definitions of love:
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in t...

Human beings are highly social creatures who develop many relationships throughout their lives. As you meet new people, some of the relationships you form will become intimate and serious, such as your best friends and romantic partners.

Others will be formal, such as your coworkers or supervisors. Some will be cordial, like the neighbors that live two houses down from you or the girl who works at your local coffee shop.

Regardless of who you meet or how serious the relationships you form become, there is always a way you can divide these many connections: Ones that are right for you and ones that are wrong for you. Differentiating the right relationships from the wrong ones is a crucial skill to excel in life.

What does it mean to identify the “right” and “wrong” people for you?

“Right” and “wrong” can assume a variety of definitions between different people. Since all human beings are distinctive and have their preferences, quirks, and traits, some people will mesh we...

Are you always doubting decisions? Do you agonize over other people's reactions to your behaviors or opinions?

I will share some tips and tricks to help you stop worrying about what people think of you in this blog. Discover how to use constructive criticism to your advantage. Then, sort out negative judgments.

This will leave you with less anxiety and overwhelm. So you can remain more focused on yourself and the best way to achieve goals.

Let's get started.

Do People's Opinions Hold You Back?

Stressing over what others think and feel about you is a normal part of our DNA. We are programmed to seek others' approval.

Studies show there is a reward center that is activated when receiving a compliment. Even if you sense other people's recognition of your hard work, your brains fire up those same reward centers.

So, we feel good about ourselves when we are accepted. Yet, we cannot always be acknowledged and adored by everyone all the time.

Problems begin when we start pivoting our ...

We ladies exist in a society where value and status are about material things like cars, clothes, and homes, and we all dream about having more – more money, bigger houses, more cars – still we never seem to be happy. As a replacement for staying thankful for what we do have, we feel envious of the people who have more than we do.

Being in constant rivalry with coworkers, family members, or neighbors can be grueling! Eventually, you'll lose sight of the essential things in life, such as your children, relationships, and health. If you place a substantial value on something, you won't feel very fulfilled, and you will end up making an inner tension that will only drive you away from happiness. After all, happiness is not the amount of stuff you collect.

Remember What You Are Grateful About

If you had to list what is good in your life right now, and you were not permitted to mention any material possessions, would you have a tough time coming up with a list? Do you have a har...

People can sometimes react excessively to circumstances without even knowing it. How does this happen?  Well, we permit our emotions to take over.

When you take control over your emotions, you make sounder reactions, leading to better solutions.

It is essential to remember that no person is perfect. Everyone overreacts from time to time. It is when your overreactions become a pattern that you should seek a better way.

Consider the following action strategies to help you stop overreacting:

1. The art of not reacting. To end overreacting, you can try using the art of not responding. This means that when presented with a particular situation, your goal will be not to react at all. Instead, you will take the time to think about the problem and then formulate your action.

2. Let out your emotions. Let yourself feel your feelings as they happen to you, and find positive ways to express them. When you let your feelings build up, they become more substantial inside of you.
...

No matter our profession, we all come in contact with difficult, negative people from time to time. Our primal instinct is to defend ourselves, fight back, and react to their negativity with some of our own. However, we are not animals who respond by instincts. We are human beings with the capacity to manage our reactions.

• To fight anger with anger merely exhausts our energy and brings us down to their level.

Why are people challenging?

When people act negatively, it is a reflection of what is going on inside them. It is about them; it is not about you. It may be a complex, troubled past or something as straightforward as a terrible day that gets an individual angry.

• Individuals who are unhappy and bored with their own lives will pursue conflict to enhance their egos.

Our ego then reacts by thinking, “I need to be right. If I don’t reply, I’m admitting defeat.” Then we find ourselves involved in a conflict that harms us emotionally, mentally, and possibly ev...

Whether you are considering managing a team or creating improved relationships between your family and friends, communication is something you have to give considerable attention.  If you sit down with someone and make sure you are on the same page, you will work well together and get more done.

What Is Open Communication?

Open communication is precisely what it sounds like: tackling an issue head-on and openly discussing ways to resolve it. Nothing improves by letting an issue fester because neither party wants to discuss it.

You would be surprised how many conflicts resolve simply by sitting down with somebody and engaging in open and friendly communication. The discussion should not be accusatory, threatening, or argumentative. Instead, it should be an opportunity for all people involved to voice their opinions and be heard calmly.

Tips to Resolving Conflict

* A face-to-face confrontation might not always be best. For example, some people are most comfortable talkin...

Tiffany Marie Olson was a beautiful young lady from Manatee County. She enjoyed the ocean. And, like all of us at Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary, Tiffany also loved all animals. She cherished her dog Simba. Simba had been found injured on the side of the road as a puppy and had surgery to mend injuries to her hindquarters. Tiffany adopted and rehabilitated her. Tiffany was also very close to her mother Christine. They enjoyed taking day trips together.