How to Get Along With Your Roommate: A Faith-Based Guide
Christ calls us to embrace and create peace and unity in all parts of our life. This includes being Christlike in our living arrangements.
As Ephesians 4:2-3 states, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (NIV).
Living with a roommate can be a fun and enriching experience. It can also be challenging to share a space with someone new. Different habits — like tossing the dishes in the sink rather than loading the dishwasher, for example — personalities (hello, Type A vs. Type B) and expectations can lead to misunderstandings, whether you're moving in with a complete stranger or with a close friend. Thankfully, God gives us plenty of guidance to help us learn practical strategies for a faith-based approach to get along with your roommate.
5 God-Centered Ways to Live Peacefully with Your College Roommate
1. Communicate Clearly and Respectfully
Clear and respectful communication is vital for a peaceful living arrangement. Work together to set expectations early regarding responsibilities around the dorm, house, or apartment, guest rules, quiet hours, and shared spaces. If conflict comes up, try to approach your roommate with kindness and understanding to work to find a Christlike solution. Having regular check-ins with each other can help prevent serious misunderstandings.
2. Serve With a Willing Heart
Small acts of kindness can make your relationships stronger. Whether that means keeping shared spaces clean or being mindful of noise levels when you have guests over, living with a servant-hearted attitude can promote harmony.
Galatians 5:13 reminds us to "serve one another humbly in love" (NIV).
With mutual care and consideration, you and your roommate can create a positive atmosphere.
3. Show Grace and Patience
Let's face it. When you're living with someone, conflicts happen. Think about how many issues arose in your very own family growing up! How did you handle them? That's what matters. Instead of getting caught up on minor differences between you and your roommate's habits, extend grace and always assume they have the best intentions. Forgiveness and flexibility — both approaches are going to serve you well!
4. Respect Boundaries
Everybody has unique habits, backgrounds, and expectations. Again, communication is key — sit down with your roommate to establish and understand boundaries from the start. Respect your roommate's privacy, personal space, and routines. If you have different schedules, you can compromise and come up with a plan that works for both of you. When an issue does arise, again, it’s critical to address it immediately so it doesn’t spiral.
5. Seek God's Guidance
Prayer is a valuable tool in building strong, lasting relationships with one another. Praying for your roommate, or even praying together, can invite God's presence into your home. If conflict comes up, seek His wisdom. If you need extra help, talk with someone at church or a trusted university counselor, professor, or leader. They can help you come up with a faith-based resolution. A shared commitment to faith can strengthen your relationship and bring peace to your apartment.
Living with a roommate takes patience, communication, and a Christlike attitude. By making an effort to respect each other's differences, show each other grace, and serve each other with love, you can make your dorm, house, or apartment welcoming for everyone. Strive to bring God into your home as well, which will facilitate a space focused on love and acceptance. Remember Psalm 133:1, "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity" (NIV)!
If you're looking for a Christ-centered education that will prepare you for a successful career and encourage you to make an impact on the world, consider applying to DBU today.
