Day 3: Commitment or Compromise?

In this next stage of the relationship, real commitment takes place. Most of us decide to commit to a partner because we say we are in love. But love isn’t the foundation for marriage, and it certainly doesn’t make a marriage work. This is probably the exact opposite of everything you have ever heard, but I’m going to say it: don’t make a lifelong commitment in marriage because you love someone. I love airplanes, but I cannot fly them because you can love something and not know how to make it work. The problem isn’t love. The problem is knowledge.

Most divorced people will agree that their marriage didn’t end because of a lack of love. Marriages end because of issues that overpower love, like abuse, neglect, and infidelity. If you want to have a successful marriage commitment, you need knowledge, not just love. There are some basic tools you need to have a strong marriage, such as communication skills, anger management skills, conflict resolution skills, and knowing how to repair broken trust. If you don’t have understanding in these areas, you may lose the relationship.

Rip up the list of reasons why your commitment is withering. No matter what your relationship status, use this time to seek godly knowledge and add basic relationship skills to your tool belt so that you can build on a solid foundation.