Do you like chess? Surely, some of you do, while others of you . . . well, not-so-much. Perhaps you prefer checkers, scrabble, trivial pursuit, monopoly, or nertz. Regardless of your preferred game, life is like playing a board game – in some respects. For example – chess. Interesting pieces are placed in a certain order on an equally interesting board of contrasting squares. Then it starts: the strategies, choices, and patterns. It only takes a few minutes to realize you can’t play chess without being very engaged and thoughtful. Subsequently, you realize there’s an element like this in the game of life and relationships. Let’s look at helpful similarities.
The Game Of Life And Relationships
There are definitely limitations to comparing life and relationships with a board game. Especially since some people only think of their life and relationships as a game. From that position, it’s “cheap” to use such a comparison. The word “game” has come to mean a thing you do merely for fun. Or to win at all costs. An activity to fill time.
Nevertheless, there are enough helpful comparisons to apply practical application from. So let’s jump into this analogy and see what we find.
Similarities
We all know just how serious life can be. How challenging. Even disappointing and broken. But for today’s content, let’s 
focus on helpful similarities needed to play board games and to play a healthy game of life and relationships. What does it take?
- Thoughtfulness to do well.
- Alertness and a plan to gain a credible placement.
- Energy and investment to succeed.
- Strategy, choices, and patterns to establish a good next move.
- Skill to execute “next moves” without ruining opportunities.
- The fun of playing! Being alive and having meaningful relationships.
Good Games
Good board games are partially meaningful because they provide a break from the hard work of life. Inversely, the everyday huge space of work between games becomes much more important than any board game – chess or other. Afterall, life is the real game. And it has high stakes. So, it’s critical to be “on your game!”
How does the “life game” work? Well, you determine to live an Alive and Active Life as you move across life’s board. Strategy helps. When you lose track of what’s happening and get into a difficult situation, you need to know how to solve problems. Sometimes, it’s impossible to think several moves ahead because life is so unpredictable. Nevertheless, there are definite moves and healthy thought patterns that produce good choices in the game of life and relationships.
Fun In The Game
If you lose the fun and fresh approach to your daily space of work, if you forget the good and get bogged down with the bad – you can eventually lose hope. So, doing well while having fun in the game of life and relationships must involve things like –
- Mental strategies to live well each day.
- Pensive forethought to be healthy and engaged.
- Planning – and working a good plan.
- Alertness to reality and needs.
- Caring that people are nurtured – which makes you and them a winner.
- Asking God for wisdom and discernment to make moves that promote His ways.
- The “back and forth” – taking turns in communication.
- Talking about how Jesus saves daily – in all kinds of issues.
- Keeping in touch with the fun of being alive.
- Deliberately holding onto hope no matter how well or poorly the game of life and relationships is going.
Enjoy Your Life
Apparently, God intends you to enjoy life and experience good things – even if that means finding blessings tucked in the folds of sufferings. An interesting verse I’ve been pondering is Eccl. 11:8 – “How ever many years you may live, enjoy them all.” What an interesting thing to find in Scripture!
How can you enjoy your life – and even have some fun in a broken world? How can you do well and win at the “game of life and relationships?”
Incidentally, it’s important to look at the game of life and relationships through God’s eyes. And since the verse just mentioned focuses on enjoying how ever many years you have, maybe we should look for God’s healthy ways to do just that.
To enjoy your life means –
- Trust God completely – even if you don’t understand.
- Live fully each day.
- Be open to learn and receive from God and from others.
- Embrace peace, joy, and hope freely offered by God.
- Choose healthy perspective.
Perspective Affects The Game Of Life And Relationships
Perspective has a significant affect on the game of life and relationships. Subsequently, let’s pull on that thread of perspective for a good game in life and relationships. Get your “gaming perspective” on.
These perspectives help you play a good life and relationship game:
- Choose to live with hope. Claim Scripture promises.
- Wake up daily to possibilities.
- Welcome the element of time. Be patient.
- Be wise and exercise discernment as you explore your responses. Ask God for wisdom and discernment.
- Set healthy boundaries to help define your path.
- Choose strategies that nurture relationships.
- Genuinely care about individuals like God does.
- Remember trials provide experience, skills, and understanding.
Two Kinds Of People
It helps to consider life generally has two kinds of people:
- People you care about.
- People who don’t care about you.
You may also have acquaintances, peers, and business/career partners. However, generally most people fall into one of these categories.
1. People You Care About
These are people you anguish over when they suffer. Perhaps you have deep concerns for someone who has turned away from Jesus. Do you ever weep over a person who doesn’t believe in God? And there’s sadness knowing a dear friend has lost hope.
People are most important in life and relationships. Inside another person is a heart made in God’s likeness. He wants them to be alive and active. Additionally, God wants you to be alive and active. He puts you in their life for a reason.
The best way to care about and love others is to first love God. Then care about and love your own life.
Caring and loving are choices. Every relationship is affected by your relationship with God. Incidentally, God gives messages like –
- “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jer. 31:3)
- “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mk. 12:31) So, learn to love yourself correctly.
- “[Nothing can] separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:39)
- Whoever has resources, “and sees his brother in need, but closes his heart of compassion from him, how can the love of God remain in him?” (1 Jn. 3:17)
- “If you love Me, you will obey Me.” (Jn. 14:15)
So – love God first and most. Love yourself like God does. And take care of people you love.
2. People Who Don’t Care About You
It hurts when people decide they don’t care about you. Sometimes it’s impossible to know exactly why they don’t. Perhaps why they turned against you.
Regardless, you can still have influence over them. Here are some action steps how:
- Ask Jesus to heal your heart. (Ps. 34:18)
- Forgive them and let it go into God’s hands.
- Be assured God is already working.
- Pray for God’s will in that person’s life.
So – let God take care of people who don’t care about you.
You Are Precious to God
Meanwhile, remember God loves you so much. He sees your life and relationships and cares deeply.
In the game of life and relationship, God knows how to handle every scenario. He offers peace to your heart. Matter-of-fact, God will not forget any little or big thing.
Each moment forms a fresh new future.
When you place faith in Christ in all life and relationship details, you’ve selected a dependable position. In essence, God has a purpose for your life. And He wants you to succeed in life and influence your relationships.
Why not win this game and trust your whole life and all your relationships (those you care about AND those who don’t care about you) to Jesus?
A Resource To Help In The Game
Romans provides excellent strategies for life. It teaches about God’s grace in a clever, logical, strategic, and surprising manner. As you study Romans, you begin to know – “with God, all things are possible.” (Mt. 19:26) This gives you the edge you need in the game.
To help you study Romans, It’s Your Move: Strategies in Thinking From Romans helps you apply Scripture in practical ways. When you wake to another day, you need good strategies in thinking, because – ready or not – It’s your move.
Application Thoughts and Questions
- Are you winning in your life and relationships?
- What kinds of strategies would help you do better?
- How can you apply ideas in this content? Be specific.
- List ways you can have fun and enjoy your life more.
- What perspectives do you need to change?
- Do you live knowing you are precious to God?
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