THE PRINCIPLE OF GOOD HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Jesus Christ captured the heart of good human relationships perfectly in His Sermon on the Mount: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NIV). In simple terms, this means we should treat others the way we want to be treated. But that raises an important question: How do we want others to treat us?
At the core, we all desire five key things from others:
3. Forgiveness
4. Appreciation Â
5. Listening
The Desire to Be Encouraged
We all face difficult times — moments when hope seems lost, or we feel completely alone. In these moments, a word of encouragement can make a world of difference. Knowing that someone believes in us and assures us that things will get better gives us strength to push through. A simple reminder that “it will be okay” or “you’re not alone” can lift a person from despair to hope.
Understanding Human Relationships and Marriage
Encouragement has the power to transform lives. A person going through failure can find the strength to succeed because someone cared enough to speak hope into their life. The happiest people are often those who lift others up rather than waiting for others to make them happy.
Jesus and Paul are powerful examples of this kind of encouragement. When the paralytic was desperate, Jesus said, “Son, be of good cheer.” When His disciples were fearful in a storm, He reassured them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” When Paul was imprisoned and discouraged, Jesus appeared to him, saying, “Be of good cheer, Paul.” Paul himself later encouraged his shipmates during a storm, telling them, “Take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you.” (Matthew 9:2; 14:27; Acts 23:11; 27:22–23, NKJV).
How to Save a Failing Marriage: Practical Steps for Couples
Encouragement is also crucial in marriage. A husband who reassures his wife with words like “It’s going to be okay” or “God is in control” when she’s struggling can restore her faith and hope. Compare that to a husband who responds to stress with indifference or bitterness — this can create a toxic environment where guilt and resentment grow. Similarly, a husband facing job loss or career setbacks needs to hear from his wife that she believes in him and sees his worth, rather than being met with criticism or indifference.
Henri Nouwen describes true friendship as the ability to sit with someone in their pain without needing to fix it. “The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing, and face with us the reality of our powerlessness — that is a friend who cares.” This level of care and understanding is what makes relationships strong — especially in marriage.
To have meaningful relationships, we must become the kind of friend or partner who offers consistent encouragement and support. Encouragement isn’t about fixing problems — it’s about standing with someone through them. That’s the heart of good human relationships.
