Don’t you hate it when you make a wrong turn down a road and see a sign that says “Dead End”?!

Does “Dead-End” describe any of your relationships, after they’ve “taken a wrong turn”?

–Going nowhere?  Unproductive?  Destructive?  Draining the life out of you?

These can describe romances, friendships, family, co-workers, classmates, groups, any situation where relationships don’t work the way they should.

Can you relate?

What causes dead-end relationships?

~Negative input— toxicity, poisoned communication, complaints, gossip, unwholesome talk, depressing discussions, lies and deception, etc.

~Nitpicking (“twin-sister” to the above)– hurtful words, harsh criticism, complaints about each other, etc.

~Neglect— lack of nurture and protection– like not tending a garden—so that “weeds” take over and/or the soil and produce dry up.

~“Nearsightedness” — lack of long-term vision and shared dreams/goals—which leads to boredom and isolation.

How can we revive and resuscitate such relationships?  How can we open a way for these relationship to become life-giving, productive, and edifying for those in them? 

• Positive input—Encouragement; Building each other up; Helping each other develop character and skills; Sharing good news; Offering good advice and suggestions; Authenticity; Speaking well of others (so the one we’re with doesn’t wonder what we say about them behind their back!); Sharing and enjoying good, clean, humor and stories together.

     “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  Eph. 4:29

• Giving grace and space—Being patient with each other; Overlooking offenses as much as possible; Not holding grudges, but instead forgiving one other; Healing words, Sincere apologies, Expressing appreciation and thanks; Believing and expecting the best from each other; Mutual respect; Problem-solving together as a team, on each other’s side.

     “ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”  1 Cor. 13:4-7

• Tender-loving-care— Doing what it takes, appropriate for each kind of relationship, to build and protect it so it can flourish and produce good fruit.  Being intentional about spending time and creating great memories together.  Staying in touch regularly, frequently, with more than just a quick “hi” or “like” on social-media.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.  Prov. 17:17

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…” Heb. 10:24-25

• Vision—Excitement; planning, dreaming together, Enjoying the journey side by side; envisioning the future with each other as a significant part of it.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish [lose direction].”  Prov. 29:18

I’ve never seen a sign that said “Alive Non-End”– but I’d love to make hundreds of them and apply them to healthy and restored relationships!

How have you seen a relationship in your life open up and come alive lately?  Or, where would you like that to happen? Apply these ways and watch them turn around and revive!