Want to thrive in relationships?

It ain’t easy. And yet, it’s imperative. Because whether you’re looking to scripture or science, healthy, whole, intimate relationships; the kind where you can know deeply and be deeply known; are not optional. They’re essential

And this makes sense. After all, we’re image-bearers of a Creator who has existed for all eternity in perfect relationship with Himself: Father, Son, and Spirit. So, at FMU, we believe:

God desires to draw you into a deep and abiding relationship with Himself, and then to lead you into meaningful relationships with others.

Perhaps one of those other relationships includes a future spouse with whom you can enjoy a life-giving, lifelong marriage.

Sound good to you? Splendid! Because this page was designed to direct you to our most helpful posts and videos we’ve produced to empower you to thrive in relationships.

Your Basic Relational Needs

LOVE: Are you looking for love? Maybe trying to earn love? Or afraid of losing love? Click the applicable hyperlink.
BELONGING: I wrote several posts for you who feel like you’re alone. Is that you?
INTIMACY: If you’re going to rock your relationships like a boss, you need to clearly grasp what you most long for from the important people in your life.
ATTENTION: Can’t seem to get enough attention? Do you feel invisible when your loved ones aren’t giving you the attention you want? Do you doubt whether God sees you? Give your attention to one of the previous hyperlinks.
ACCEPTANCE: If you long to fit in or if you wonder how God could accept you just the way you are, click the “acceptable” hyperlink.
Wonder why relationships are such a big deal?

Your Relationship with God

Trusting God:

Struggling to make sense of God?
Feel like He’s let you down?
Does your prolonged wait for “The One” cause you to doubt Him?
Would you like to learn to trust God? (Because you can’t really enjoy a close relationship with someone you don’t trust. Not even God.)

Knowing God’s Will:

Do you wonder why God’s will is so hard to find?
Feel like you’re always guessing at God’s will?
Do you worry you’ll miss His will?
Tired of waiting for Gods will?
Would you like to know how to approach God? (Because knowing His will actually begins with knowing how to approach Him.

Love Assassins

Wonder why your relationships are NOT working?

What if you’ve developed relational habits that will stunt your social life and sabotage your ability to thrive in long-term, sacrificial relationships?

We call these relational habits Love Assassins. The first four are summarized in this post and the last five are summarized in this post. Or consider the questions below to identify the love assassins most likely lurking in your life.

Are you expecting too much from your relationships?
Are you wanting a relationship to be 50-50?
Are you looking for your identity in dating?
Are you a control freak?
Do you tell white lies?
Do you have a victim mentality?
Do you struggle with bitterness? (If so, we have a whole Hot Topic page dedicated to forgiveness, which we believe to be the single most important relational skill.)
Are you too set in your ways?
Do you struggle with negativity?

The Single Life

Despite your best efforts are you still single? There’s hope offered in the previous hyperlink.
Are you happy single? Read this before it’s too late! More specifically, are you young, single, & career-focused? Read this before it’s too late!
Are you still in your teens or early 20s? Read this post to help you avoid your single life crisis.
Simply tired of being asked, “Why are you still single?” The Single Person’s Guide to Relationship Status Interrogation might be helpful, but it will definitely be fun to read.
Would you like to end your search for “The One”? Click the previous hyperlink for a better goal to aim for.

Is This Going to Keep You Single?

I wrote an entire Date Night Advice series entitled Is This Going to Keep You Single? Click the previous hyperlink to begin reading the series, or jump right to the thing you must suspect might be keeping you single by clicking one of the links below.

Your mom
Your dad
Porn (Yes, even if you don’t partake!)
Feminism [MEN ONLY] [WOMEN ONLY]
The romantic worldview sold by Disney (and most of the rest of the entertainment world)
Hooking up
Your reliance on (or addiction to) texting specifically (or your phone in general)
The next pandemic (OK, maybe I had a little fun with this one, which I wrote during the 2020 pandemic.)

The Friend Zone

Ever wonder why nice guys (and girls) get friend-zoned?
Do you know the blind spots that get you friend-zoned?
Would you like to know how to avoid the friend zone?
Have you friend-zoned yourself already without realizing it?
Are you dealing with rejection in the friend zone?
Has your experience in the friend zone made you bitter? And what is that bitterness doing for you?
Want to kiss the friend zone goodbye for good?

The Friend Zone Files addresses all of the above issues, and begins with these 3 Reasons You Get Friend-zoned.

Marriage

Is marriage outdated?
Is Marriage For You specifically?
When is the right time to pursue marriage? What are the DANGERS of marrying young? What are the BENEFITS of marrying young?
Why prepare for your future marriage if you may never marry at all.
Why should you prioritize friendship over romance. (There are so many reasons I’ve written several Date Night Advice posts on the topic.)
Do you understand what the marriage vows cannot vow? (Because if you marry with the wrong expectations for marriage, you’re going to be tremendously unhappy, even if you marry a great partner.)
Do you know the 3 critical life lessons for relational success? (They’re easier to learn before you date.)
Do you know the 3 key life disciplines for relational success. (Or would you prefer to let the hard knocks of life discipline you?)
Have you made the 3 crucial life decisions for relational success? (Or are you going to suffer the consequences because you wouldn’t make them?)
Would you like to know the biblical meaning, purpose, and significance of marriage? (You really do. 🙂 )

Thrive in Relationships