Building Christlike Connections in Relationships

 

Keys to Building Christlike Connections in Relationships

By Jeremy R. Jaggi

Of the Seventy

Many young adults struggle with pornography use, which, when left unchecked, can create barriers to developing true intimacy with others. Artificial intelligence is also becoming a tool not just for information but also for fabricated connections. Some young adults falsify their feelings of belonging by devoting their time to comparing themselves to social media influencers or keeping up with the world’s beauty and lifestyle trends. Some invest excessive time in books, video games, or television, imagining connections with fake people with unrealistic relationships. Others merely seclude themselves and substitute worldly comforts for true intimacy, avoiding interactions with real people as much as possible....

Unfortunately, the adversary makes isolation look much more enticing than connection—it’s easier to stick to old habits than to take steps to change and build relationships. He knows that compassionate, authentic relationships among friends, family, leaders, and spouses can help us feel more connected to each other and to the pure love of Jesus Christ...

What we choose to give our time, energy, or focus to will determine the reward we will reap...

Start with small goals. Get off the computer, the gaming system, the phone, and spend time every day in the Word!...

Envelop yourself in Jesus Christ. He is the Word!...

If you need motivation to connect with God and with others, ask Heavenly Father for help. As you grow in intimacy and connection with God, your capacity for experiencing charity in your own life and in your relationships will deepen....

Sharing our struggles, weaknesses, desires, interests, and feelings takes vulnerability and courage. But there is one main barrier that keeps us from talking deeply about these kinds of issues:

Pride.

It’s the feeling that we can’t let our true selves show because of what someone might think. Will we be loved, or will we be rejected? Comparison to others can steal away our joy.

Vulnerability, meekness, and candor lead to increased trust, closeness, and intimacy in relationships. Sharing sensitive emotions can feel like a risk, but we are protecting our pride when we don’t share feelings in our relationships.

We need humility.

How can we invite deeper humility into our lives?

Stand in holy places. Be with holy people. Engage in holy habits....

If we prioritize being where the Spirit has touched our hearts, such as the temple, institute, or sacrament meeting, we will begin to desire humility; we will begin to desire a closeness with God and want to have deeper, connecting conversations....

Our connection with Jesus Christ is the key to changing our habits, our attitudes, and our willingness to connect deeply with those around us. As we prioritize our relationship with Him, we can fully show up as our authentic selves and build true intimacy and meaningful relationships that enrich our lives with enduring joy and love.