The marriage of a man and a woman is a union of two individuals joined
as one (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11; Ephesians 5:31). God intends for them to serve
Him as a team, as co-heirs with Christ of His entire Kingdom (Romans 8:17).
At first, a couple's attraction increases their love for one another.
Yet, over time they gradually stop considering one another, doing the tiny
thoughtful gestures for one another that mean so much and sharing the same
goals and purpose in life (Ephesians 5:33).
As the years progress, the couple eventually take each other for granted,
stop romantic overtures and make other pursuits their priority in life. They
co-exist, but do not work as a team or care about each other's needs as much as
they care about their own.
To the Wife:
There are many women who take their husband for granted. Some insist on
spending more money than he makes. Others find their fulfillment in their home
and children or in their job and ignore their husband's needs.
They get caught up in the pressure of their daily demands and make no
time for their husband. They forget that men need visual stimulation to feel
loving, and they make no effort to groom and dress nicely for him at home.
They forget to make his favorite meal, to shop for his preferences and
to make time to listen to him share about his day. A wife is given the
privilege of following the outline given in Proverbs 31.
She will flourishes as a wife, mother, homemaker and business woman in
this creative capacity given to her by God. God's Spirit will give her wisdom
and strength to minister to her family.
To the Husband:
A man will expect his wife to be sweet and accommodating and to keep him
as her primary focus (Ephesians 5:25); yet, it is often the husband's poor
choices, which keep the marriage in a state of perpetual insecurity and
financial loss.
No woman can be sweet and submissive when her husband stops considering
her needs and keeps her life in turmoil. Then he blames her hormones or personality
for her negative reactions to him.
God desires to charge the husband to dwell with and to provide for his
wife with love and understanding (1 Peter 3:7). If he does, then his wife will
more easily submit to His loving leadership.
A man’s responsibility is to protect his wife and to give her the
feeling of safety and security she deserves. He will not take her for granted,
if he realizes everything which she does for him throughout the day after day (Ephesians
4:2, 32; Romans 12:16).
To the Couple:
Any couple can keep romance alive with spontaneous little gifts, daily
times to snuggle, helping each other around the house, date nights, listening
with focused attention, and an unexpected phone call or an email during the day
proclaiming their love for one another (1 Peter 4:10). Try it and see!
Prayer:
Father God, the opposite sexes are just that - opposite. It seems that
You played a trick on humanity by causing opposites to attract. However, Your
plan all along was for opposites to complement one another.
We can draw from one another's strengths to make up for our own
weaknesses. Remind us that we are a team, and we will dwell together in unity
as we work and pray together under the direction of Your Holy Spirit (Psalm
133:1).
Thought for the Day:
As we make an effort to increase our love for each other until it
overflows, we will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. - 1
Thessalonians 3:12; Ephesians 5:21
