How Does Knowing God's Love Affect Your Relationships With People? by Carey Kinsolving on Creators.com

Recently

What Does It Mean to Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness? "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). "If you do right, you won't get hungry or thirsty," says Zach, age 6. Actually, the thirst here is something different, says …Read more. Why Does God Bless the Meek? "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth" (Matthew 5:5). The subject of meekness reminds me of the man who wrote a book titled "How to Be Humble by One Who Is." About the time you think you've arrived at meekness, …Read more. Why Does God Comfort Those Who Mourn? "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). "If you cry, it will get better" is the meaning of this second Beatitude, says Brittany, 6. Brittany, if you cry for the right reasons, you will indeed get …Read more. Why Does God Bless The Poor In Spirit? "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). "The poor will go to heaven, and everyone else has to not sin," says Sarah Jane, age 6. Great news for the poor, but where does that leave the …Read more.

How Does Knowing God's Love Affect Your Relationships With People?

"I'm OK, You're OK" is the title of a former best-selling book. "I Stink, You Stink" is the reality behind many soured relationships.

God's love "affects me because I feel loved, and that makes me love other people," says Rachel, 9.

Rachel has identified the key to healthy relationships. When we know God loves us in our heads and sense his love in our hearts, we don't try to put people in the place of God. Don't make an idol out of any human relationship.

Everyone needs love. Only God gives us perfect, unconditional love all the time. Consider yourself a channel for letting God's love flow through you, and you might be surprised at what flows back.

"The love of God comes through your spirit and makes you want to treat other people as God would want to treat other people," says Courtney, 10. "The love that comes from God is everlasting, everywhere and is faithful."

"I don't stay mad as long," says Stacy, 10. "It used to take days. Now, it takes about an hour to cool off. Once I got so mad at one of my friends that I didn't talk to her for a week, and she remembers it, too."

Stacy, your struggle with anger reminds me of a story told by Michael Hodgin of a golfer who stormed off the course after throwing his golf bag into a lake. A few minutes later his friends thought he had cooled off when they saw him wading into the lake. He fished out the dripping bag, unzipped the side pocket, took out his car keys and flung the bag into the lake once again.

Abiding in God's love is the "key" to maintaining your cool under pressure, says Jared, 10: "Knowing God's love helps you because you know that God will find a way to make things end up good.

He can turn an impossible situation into a good one."

God's love can transform laziness into helpfulness, says Nicole, 10: "Sometimes, I help my mom do dishes or clean the house. I help my dad by taking out the trash. Now, that would be love."

That's love with feet on it, Nicole. But the real foot story belongs to Ephraim, 10: "Sometimes when you play soccer, someone knocks you down. If you want to hit him back, that's not the love of God. If you want to get him or her back, you lose your concentration, and you build up anger. If you had the love of God, you would be able to concentrate and not build up anger."

Anger in the form of revenge or bitterness can trip you up in soccer and in life. The Apostle Paul advocated forgiving one another "even as Christ forgave you" (Colossians 3:13).

"When somebody is being picked on, or has no friends, cheer them up," says Jordan, 10. "If somebody gets hurt, try to help them and see if they're OK. If somebody finishes last in a race, tell him he did a good job because he finished. Never say anything to put someone down."

Think about this: Only God's love flowing through you can transform "I Stink, You Stink" relationships into "I'm Loved, You're Loved." Memorize this truth: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). Ask this question: Am I a channel for God's love that blesses others, or am I dam that tries to hold onto everything for myself?

Listen to a talking book, download the "Kids Color Me Bible" for free, watch Kid TV Interviews and travel around the world by viewing the "Mission Explorers Streaming Video" at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version. To find out more about Carey Kinsolving and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.