Strong relationships don’t just happen. They take work, time, and a lot of grace. In Week 1 of the Mature US series, the focus is on what it means to grow into a healthy “us.” Whether it’s marriage, a close friendship, or family, God calls us to grow in how we love and live with one another.
Richie and Pam Brown shared about their own real-life struggles and how choosing maturity during hard times shaped their marriage. They showed that spiritual growth doesn’t stay private. It spills out into our closest connections. Love, patience, trust, and hard work are all part of growing stronger, along with believing that God can help in every step.
How Mature Relationships Begin With “Me”
Before anything can change in a relationship, the work starts with you. That’s where maturity really begins. Sometimes it’s tempting to wait for change in someone else, but true progress happens when you ask, “What can I learn or change?”
Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” This kind of love doesn’t come just from feelings. It’s a decision to respond like Jesus, even if it is uncomfortable. Growing in this means taking what God says in the Bible and actually applying it to your life. Hearing about kindness or patience is one thing, but living it out is something else.
Growth takes honesty. Take a real look at your actions and words. Are you quick to forgive? Do you choose love over pride? Are you patient, even when things are tough? Staying teachable and open to God helps every relationship get better. You can listen to great teaching, but if you don’t put it into practice, nothing changes.
One way Amarillo Fellowship Church supports personal growth is through Connect Groups. These groups give people a chance to learn with others and help apply God’s Word in real life.
Loving Others When Relationships Get Hard
The hardest moments are the true test of love. When someone forgets something important, disagrees, or responds in a way you didn’t expect, stress can rise fast. Real growth shows up in how you respond when things get messy.
A helpful tool is to THINK before speaking. Pause and ask yourself:
– Is it True?
– Is it Helpful?
– Is it Inspiring?
– Is it Necessary?
– Is it Kind?
Words can be used to build up or tear down. When tensions rise, it’s tempting to try and win the argument instead of solving the real problem. Stay united against the issue, not against each other. The goal is not to prove who is right, but to protect the relationship.
It’s okay to see things differently. Differences do not mean someone is wrong. God made everyone unique, so working through differences requires care and respect. Healthy relationships make room for those differences, finding ways to talk and listen instead of just reacting.
The Power of Mutual Submission
Submission sometimes makes people uncomfortable, but biblical submission means choosing unity over control. It’s not about one person being more important than the other, but learning to serve each other with honor.
Ephesians 5 says to submit to one another out of respect for Christ. This applies to both people in marriage. Serving each other is not about fear or being pressured, it comes from trust and choosing to love first.
For wives, submission can look like supporting their husbands as an act of strength, not weakness. For husbands, it means loving their wives by caring for them deeply, putting their needs first just like Jesus did for the church.
When both people go first—by loving, respecting, and forgiving—the whole atmosphere changes. Holding back love or respect breaks connection. When someone chooses to act on God’s Word first, the cycle of hurt can stop. Real teamwork happens when partners are willing to serve and honor each other, especially when it’s difficult.
Building an “Us” That Lasts
Building a healthy relationship takes patience and time. It doesn’t happen overnight. Creating space for God each day makes all the difference. Praying, reading the Bible, and worshiping together helps keep hearts soft and motives clear.
A strong connection isn’t just about spending time together, but going deeper. Praying together, making decisions as a team, and learning to listen to God together helps keep Him at the center. Spiritual oneness makes the connection even deeper than just being close.
Remember, change is usually slow. Nobody grows instantly. The truth is, you can’t expect someone close to you to make big changes faster than you are willing to make them yourself. Patience and steady effort matter most.
Here are some ways to keep growing and building something solid:
– Set aside regular time for prayer and Bible reading.
– Make decisions together, inviting God into the process.
– Encourage each other with honest words, even when it’s tough.
– Remember that little acts of kindness and forgiveness add up over time.
Amarillo Fellowship Church offers regular Next Steps classes that help people connect, learn, and develop new habits for long-term spiritual and relational health.
A United “Us” Changes Everything
When two people keep growing together in love and faith, it doesn’t just make a difference at home. That kind of unity begins to reach into their entire family, friendships, and community. A mature “us” is not about being perfect, but about being willing to keep trying, forgiving, and showing up together.
Richie and Pam Brown made it clear that everyone faces really hard moments. Sometimes, it feels easier to walk away. But choosing to stay, to forgive, to keep working and listening, shows the kind of love that Jesus modeled for us. The enemy wants to divide people, but Jesus gives more than enough strength to help us overcome and find real joy in sticking together.
If you want a relationship that lasts, remember that it’s built on steady choices and held together by faith. With God at the center, you can reflect His love to others and create a place of truth and safety—one that can change your life and even impact the world around you. Growth starts with each person, and when two people are willing, the impact only multiplies.
Healthy relationships take effort, time with God, and choosing connection day by day. Whether you’re working through conflict or growing in grace, you don’t have to do it alone. At Amarillo Fellowship Church, we’re here to help you build stronger bonds through prayer, support, and faith. If you’re ready for a place to grow and belong, our home for Amarillo fellowship is open to you—we’d love to meet you.