The One Relationship That Will Never Let Us Down

Relationships on the human level often carry an expectation of pain and conflict. Many eventually fail. But our relationship with God should be the opposite.

We’ve all heard it before: love hurts. It seems like our culture has accepted this as a reality of relationships. For instance, the plots of romantic comedies aren’t about couples who live in reasonable harmony. They fight, they break up, hearts are broken, and then they are finally pieced back together and end up together—but just a little more hurt and broken than when they first started out.

That reality hit me recently while I was driving and listening to the radio. I wasn’t really paying attention to the song until I noticed the lyrics. The song was “Irresistible” by Fall Out Boy, and the line that struck me was the chorus: “And I love the way you hurt me / It’s irresistible, yeah / I love the way, I love the way / I love the way you hurt me, baby.”

Immediately I was struck with the sad acceptance of the reality of pain in relationships. Pain is often seen as a predictable consequence of human relationships. We expect that humans will eventually hurt us.

But there is one relationship that we can totally rely on. It is the one relationship where the other party will never let us down and hurt us. The only side that can cause harm to the relationship is us. Of course, that is our relationship with God.

Relationships fail for many reasons, but there are three common reasons that relationships often end: the breakdown of trust, communication issues and finances. Consider how God will never let us down in these three areas.

Trust

The Bible is filled with passages about God’s love, mercy and the unbreakable promises He makes to be good and merciful toward us. Titus 1:2 shows us this aspect of God: “In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.” We can trust God’s promises because He can’t lie. So we can totally trust in everything He has promised to us. He will finish the work He has started in us (Philippians 1:6). That is, as long as we do our part.

God’s nature is not like ours. Again, it is literally against His nature to lie (1 Samuel 15:29). We should have no trust issues with God. Whatever He says will come to pass, and we can take comfort in His words.

Communication

God is always available for two-way communication. Through Jesus Christ we are able to speak to the Father through prayer (John 14:6). We can be assured that when we pray, God hears (1 John 5:14-15). If we feel there is a breakdown in communication between us and God, it is on our end.  

God hears us, but relationships shouldn’t be completely one-sided. God communicates with us through His Word, the Bible. When you need to hear God, search His Scriptures.  

Finances

Financial burdens can cause much strain in relationships. Lack of agreement on finances can end a relationship. Thankfully, God has a simple financial system.

God established the system of tithing, meaning 10 percent of our income is to be given back to Him to acknowledge that God owns everything (Psalm 24:1). Blessings are even promised for faithfully tithing (Malachi 3:10; Proverbs 3:9-10).

We can also have faith that God will provide for us—even when we face a financial trial: “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30). We may not see how God will bring us out of financial trials, but we can trust that He will take care of our needs.

A perfect love

We live in a world where movies, music and more tell us that relationships will always hurt. When those messages start to seep into your mind, remember the perfect love God has for us.

God will always be there for you. Will you be there for Him?

To learn more about the trust we can have in God, read “The Rock.”