The 40-Day Marriage Habits Devotional (1-5)Sample

Day 4 - Cool the Withering Heat

problem

Tensions are so hot, you have become cold roommates.

The distrust and arguments are bearing the fruit of resentment and bitterness.

Being a frog in the bot of boiling water is no fun.

The boiling water affects all parts of your life. Even when there's no argument, the tension is there.

Now there's no safety to even talk about the problems.

the lie

The false belief is that your situation "just happened."

This lie has made it into our vernacular:

"Don't fix if it isn't broken."

This lie causes couples to turn their heads and settle in silence.

They take offense at attempts to repair it, because admission that something is wrong is too painful.

The problem started when the water started getting hotter and hotter. Not once it's already boiling.

the pain

So many couples end up buying this lie...till it's too late.

Escaping from the boiling pot together is very hard.

You may even pull each other down: as you crawl out, your spouse pulls you back down.

Or you escape, and now you're a frog out of water, while your spouse boils.

Both cases are painful.

the promised land

God promises respite, like trees that thrive despite the heat.

That respite is the safety, curiosity and grace to address problems head on together.

Your marriage can survive the heat of external adversity as well as the inner brokenness, and still bear fruit.

the truth

The underlying truth is that the answer to ending the boiling water is to bring forth fresh, cool water regularly.

Being proactive before a crisis is one of the hardest habits for humans:

• Saving before the rainy day
• Exercise before the stroke
• Flossing before the gum disease

Jesus calls is to always be ready for that impending day.

Be prepared and ready with extra oil in your lamps.

The heat will not disappear. Much of it comes from your sin and the sin of your spouse.

So it must be drenched.

your action

Have an honest discussion with your spouse about the degree to which you have a daily "cooling" down of the inevitable boiling water.

If not, what is in the way?