We live in a society where “the sky is the limit” is our favorite motto. We want to believe that we can conquer anything if we try hard enough. The problem is that that mentality fosters a false sense of security and leaves us feeling broken and hurting when we do realize that our own strength is not enough. What do I mean by this?

I think this point is most exemplified in relationships, particularly in marriages but also in friendships. We want to believe that if I try hard enough the other person will love me more or better, but often that is not the case. The harder we try, there are just times when the other person moves away. The sky no longer seems to be the limit but the ever approaching burden as if the world in closing in.

Think about the wife who tries harder and harder to make her husband happy, but he continues to come home later and later, spending less and less time together. What about the friend with whom you once spent so much time now doesn’t answer the phone or respond to text messages, emails, or phone calls? Can you relate to these circumstances? Maybe you can understand from a different perspective.

What happened to the relationship that brought it to this point? What did you do wrong? Why is the other person responding poorly? What caused such pain and strife? Why is the other person unresponsive? Do they no longer love me? I feel so alone!

In part two of this three part series, we will examine some of the details of relationships, particularly contributing factors and how to respond in the midst of such feelings and emotions.