Healthy relationships don’t just magically happen--even at the most wonderful time of the year. Maybe, especially at the most wonderful time of the year. Whether it is marriage, friendship, dating, co-workers, family, or your church community, relationships require intentionality to grow and thrive.  
As we move into a new year, many of us set goals. We want to improve our health, our finances, our faith, our careers. But, what about our relationships? Do we pour into those?  
Let’s look at three essential biblical principles for healthy relationships with practical ways to live them out.

Recently, I made a list of all the employers I've had in my life, not counting seasons of self-employment and consulting. The total number of employers over about 6 decades came to 13, with the very first being corn detasseling at age 14 on a seed corn farm near Goshen, Indiana. 
In addition to these 13 jobs, there have also been dozens of volunteer assignments like boards, task forces, teams, etc. All have involved interacting with people, with most of the experiences being positive. 
Strong teams aren’t built on talent alone--they’re built on relationships. When people feel connected, respected, and valued, collaboration becomes natural and productivity soars.  
Here are five essential relationship skills, plus real-world examples to show how they work in action.