As a couple, unity in our marriage is enhanced when a husband lays down his life for his wife, and he can continually trust that his wife is his greatest fan and supporter (Proverbs 31:11). He depends on her respect and the honor that she gives him as co-heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:16-18).
This is mutual submission rather than a domineering-subservient relationship. As we both pray together over decisions in our relationship, we jointly submit to the will of God by following His supernatural peace in our hearts (John 14:27; Proverbs 3:5-6).
When our spouse is hurtful toward us, we can readily forgive, because we are both human, and both wound one another from time to time (Proverbs 19:11; 2 Corinthians 10:5). Instead, we focus on our spouse’s strong points and thank God for providing someone for us that can balance out our weaknesses (Philippians 4:8).
The more time we invest in our marriage, the more successful it will be, and the greater longevity we will enjoy together. It is the little things that make a huge difference. Dwelling together by understanding one another’s needs helps us to function as a united front to face the challenges of life.
We offer validation for our mate’s accomplishments and strengths, as well as the effort they make to bring joy into our life. Showing gratitude for their efforts is one way to do this, even when they insist on loving us in ways that are not in accord with our own love language.
If our mate genuinely cares about us, he/she may be willing to understand our individual needs and alter their behavior to better meld together as one (1 Peter 3:7, KJV). Living with an approachable attitude toward our mate’s needs helps him/her to feel more secure, joyful, attached to us, and relaxed in our relationship.
Prayer:
Father God, show us how to exhibit sympathy, empathy, patience, understanding, compassion, and love toward one another in our marriage. Help us to brainstorm to find mutually attractive activities that provide relaxation and fun for both of us. Remind us that we both still have an inner child that likes to play and help us to serve as one another’s best friend and companion.
Remind us that we are both human, and we cannot live up to the expectations for our life by other people. We need to be able to relax rather than to walk on eggshells in our own home without enduring disappointment or bitterness. Insurmountable expectations cause dissatisfaction with our mate. Help us to hear what our mate is asking for and not to make fun of them, but to attempt to meet their need for sharing joyful and relaxing experiences with us.
Thoughts for the Day:
Loving our mate in his/her own love language will meet our needs much better than grand gestures or loving them in our love language. Pressure comes from high expectations of one another. If we do not expect a particular result, we will never be disappointed; and we may even find a new way to share time together.
- https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language
