The Beetles sang, “All You Need is Love.” But how true is that? Is love really enough? Is it the only thing you need in a successful relationship?

From one past experience, I’d say, “No.” Many decades ago—yep, I’m old enough to look back many, many moons—I was in a relationship where my partner and I both loved each other but I wasn’t treated with respect. In fact, periodically there were occasions that were downright scary.

Scripture says, “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Please pardon me if I’m being unchristian in questioning the bible, but I’m not sure about all of this either. There are things even in a loving relationship that cannot be endured. What about verbal, emotional, or physical abuse? What about infidelity, stealing, and dishonesty?

Or, does this mean that Scripture is correct? If those things exist in a relationship, then it isn’t based on true love.

In my opinion, one element such as love does not in itself make a relationship successful. There also has to be honesty, friendship, compatibility, gentleness, communication, trust, generosity, understanding, loyalty, and laughter—or at least as many of these characteristics as possible. Partners should feel comfortable being totally themselves and also help each other to grow.

What do you think? What am I missing? What’s the one thing you absolutely need in a committed relationship?

(If you’ve read any of my books, I’d really, really appreciate a short review on Amazon.

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