The fine art of getting along with others

The quality of life is largely dependent on the quality of our relationships. Relationships are more important than money. They are more important than success. They are more important than getting your way at church.

If you learn to get along peacefully with people, you will be a happy man. If you don’t, you will be very, very sad. Life is as simple as that. That is why Paul said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 The truth is, it usually is possible. If we are nice to people, they are normally nice to us. If we are short with people they are normally short with us. If we are appreciative of people, they are normally appreciative of us. It is the law of sowing and reaping. You reap what you sow. You get what you give.

If you can learn to get along with others, enjoying God will get very easy. It is easy to enjoy God in the context of well-lived relationships. It is hard to enjoy God when everyone around me is screaming and hollering or pouting in bitter silence. It is easy to enjoy God in the context of laughter and love and smiles and pats on the back. A glance heavenward, a short prayer that says, “Thank you, God” and you are there. You already have joy; you just have to experience it in the awareness of the presence of God and you are there. When you are in the middle of a shouting match it is a little more difficult.

And the happy news is, the Bible has a lot to tell us about how to get along.

Josh Hunt. (2000). Enjoying God. Josh Hunt.