In my newsletter a four years ago, I recommended we periodically check our credit reports. This is a wise move in order to correct reporting errors and catch possible identity theft.
Other finance-related initiatives include making an annual budget, having life insurance, establishing an emergency fund, and planning for the future.
On the health front is scheduling appointments with the doctor and dentist. In addition, some people regularly check their pulse or take their blood pressure. Even stepping on the scale is a form of a medical checkup.
Aside from health issues, we regularly have the oil in our car changed and follow recommended maintenance to keep it running great. Many take similar steps with their homes.
I also do periodic checkups on my schedule to avoid over-commitment and guard against under-involvement.
So we take control of our finances, watch our health, care for our possessions, and protect our time, all by preforming regular checkups.
What about Relationships?
I too often take relationships for granted. Either they work or they don’t. But I should be intentional about them, too. I need to do a relationship checkup. Maybe you do, too. In my checkup, I ask these questions:
- Am I investing in the relationships that are important to me? Do I seek to make our interactions significant? Do people anticipate spending time with me?
- Conversely, am I protecting myself from toxic relationships that demand much, give little, and drag me down?
- Am I looking to build relationships with others?
- Do I need to remove myself from some relationships?
- Am I in any enabling relationships?
Even more important is my relationship with family. They, too, deserve a thorough checkup.
On the spiritual front, is God, the most important relationship of all. Maybe we should do this checkup first.
Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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