Every relationship has a climate – sunny, stormy, or even icy. And the current climate dictates the forecast. The problem is that many of us are unaware of the emotional climates we carry around with us. In this 4-part series, we will discover how we affect the emotional climate when we arrive home or step into a meeting at work and we will look at three of the most significant climate shapers in any relationship. The truth for all of us is that at least one of our relationships could use a climate change. And until the climate changes, the forecast will remain the same. Beginning May 5 at 9:30am and 11:00am.
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The ForecastJeff Henderson, 05.05.13DescriptionYou have an emotional climate. It goes with you everywhere. You can?t see it. But it’s a big deal. Research shows that the number one obstacle people face in their relationships and careers is an inability to understand the emotional climate of the people around them and to recognize their own emotional climate.
We’ve all been around people like that. What if you are that person? This week, ask three people one question: “What’s it like to be on the other side of me?” Sit down with a notepad and listen to their responses. Don’t interrupt, apologize, rationalize, or defend. You’ll hear things that will encourage and surprise you. You’ll hear things that will hurt your feelings. You can dismiss what you hear or take it to your heavenly Father in prayer and ask for help.
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An Unstable ClimateJeff Henderson, 05.12.13DescriptionEveryone has an emotional climate. Insecurity is one of the biggest influences on that climate. Throughout life we have failures and difficult experiences, and we hear negative comments from people who are important to us. These things feed our insecurities. And we all know it isn’t fun to be on the other side of an insecure person. An insecure boss is difficult to follow. An insecure spouse is difficult to love. None of us wants to be that difficult person. So how do we deal with our insecurities?
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Stormy WeatherJeff Henderson, 05.19.13DescriptionConflict gets a bad rap. The goal of any relationship isn’t to have no conflict; it’s to be able to resolve conflict in healthy ways. When there’s unresolved conflict, the relationship flatlines, emotions get frozen, and the relationship gets stuck. The climate of your relationships will improve when you resolve conflict instead of ignoring it.
Think of one relationship in your life that needs some conflict resolution. Pray about it. Ask God how to approach that person with loyalty and kindness. Then do it.
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Storm CloudsJeff Henderson, 05.26.13Coming soon...DescriptionWe all have expectations. Some are realized and some aren’t. When our expectations come face-to-face with real-life challenges, it can batter our dreams. Storm clouds of bitterness, anger, and cynicism form in our lives…and we forfeit hope.
But God is attempting to build hope in your life. Fighting for hope isn’t about denying reality; it’s about embracing reality. Where there’s hope, there’s a healthy heart. Where there’s a healthy heart, there’s a healthy emotional climate.
