Two Ways to reduce relationship-anxiety in 2026

# 1. Accept that others see life differently than you do and that you don't need to change for them or they for you!
You enjoy sitting and staring at the sky; your sister would rather climb a mountain. You cry at movies; your best friend doesn’t. Your spouse talks with anyone he/she meets; you prefer taking time to know someone first. Mom gives solutions immediately;  you like mulling over options before solving a dilemma.
It’s easy to jump to conclusions when another doesn’t think or act as you do. Yet when you suspend judgment and accept others’ differences, you can begin to release some of your relationship-anxiety. ("Don’t jump to conclusions—there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.") Proverbs 25:8 The Message
#2. Resolve to learn to love yourself as God loves you.  
As you grow to accept yourself, you will probably be able to more readily accept the idiosyncrasies of others. If you have learned to forgive yourself, you’re likely to find you can more easily forgive someone else. When you’re patient with yourself, you feel more tolerant toward your loved ones. When you learn to be kind to yourself, you gain courage to stand up for yourself and create healthy boundaries.
God loves you and enjoys watching you become the person He designed you to be. Self-respect increases as you stay committed to gaining a heart of wisdom, acceptance, and love for others and yourself. This accepting attitude splashes onto your relationships and becomes a grateful and less-anxious way to live.  ("To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper.")
Proverbs 19:8 NRSV
YOUR INVITATION: As you begin 2026, God welcomes you to partner with Him in reducing your relationship-anxiety. What one small step will you take with Him?

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