The last couple weeks I’ve been teaching on the topic of marriage and I can honestly say each time I talk about the subject God is personally challenges me to change and go deeper in relating to those He's brought into my life.
So many people wander through life interfacing and interacting with others, but never find authentic connection. For many, healthy relationships become the elusive thing in their life, so they try harder, but never quite unlock the potential of God-ordained friendships and marriages.
Sadly because of this, it cuts them off from the primary way God brings life, healing and purpose into our lives.
With relationships, it’s not a matter of “working harder at it”, instead, it’s about getting smarter and developing our own relational intelligence. When it comes to marriage here are four essential requirements to building up and making a marriage healthy, strong and able to go the distance.
1) Be totally committed – too many couples live with the “D” word hanging over their heads and it destabilizes the relationship. Without a sure foundation, there’s nothing to build on and it’s difficult to trust.
2) Submit to one another – you will never take your marriage to the next level until you learn to prefer your spouse and put their needs before your own. Health comes into a relationship when you let them out rank you, when we die to our self-centered ways.
3) Make love not war – most of us understand the importance of loving each other, but the question is, “are we communicating that love in a way our spouse can receive it”? Men and woman receive love in different ways and because of that we need to seek to understand each other’s love language and learn to speak them fluently.
4) Give a little respect – both love and respect should be unconditional in marriage. Make it you daily task to fight the disease of familiarity. Familiarity will always limit or hold a relationship in shallow place however, respect and honor provide the fertile ground for our spouse's hopes, dreams and potential to germinate and grow.
Comments