Day 6: Romantic Love

What you thought was romantic love in those early stages of attraction pales compared to what you experience at this stage. This is light years past hormones, brain chemicals, and putting on a good front for your crush. In stage six, your love has passed through the fires of adversity, and it hasn’t been pretty. Things that were impure and ungodly have burned up while everything true and holy has remained. What is left is pure and refined. You’ve fought great spiritual battles to get where you are now. It hasn’t come easy, but it has been worth it. You know your spouse and are known by your spouse for who you are - the best parts, the faults, the failures, the successes. And after everything you’ve been through together, with eyes wide open, you love more deeply than ever before. This is the apex - this is romantic love.

Many give up before they get to this point. God wants to use your testimony to encourage others who are a few steps behind you in their relationship. There are some ugly parts of your story, maybe even parts you are ashamed of. This can make sharing your story intimidating. But every time you tell someone what God has done for you, you break the grip of shame on your life. Someone needs to hear how you fought through unforgiveness, resentment, and pain to get to the place of relational strength you are at now.

Rip up the list of reasons why you can’t share the story of what God has done in your relationship. Hope and freedom are released when you share your story. Your encouragement could mean the difference between someone giving up on their relationship or going the distance.