Love DefinedSample

Love Defined

DAY 2 OF 7

The Fairy Tale Façade

We used to think that if two people had sparks and chemistry when they got married, then the relationship would last. We assumed that modern couples could define love according to their own terms and still have lasting results. 

This false view of love is a direct result of what we call the Fairy Tale Facade. 

Imagine a temporary front covering on the outside of an ugly building. The exterior looks great, but behind the false front is nothing more than a wreck. The Fairy Tale Facade is like a beautiful false front. It promotes the idea that we can ignore God’s design for love, sex, and romance, and still have good results. It’s the false belief that we can ignore the Creator’s perfect plan for our lives and still be satisfied.

Instead of blindly buying into the Fairy Tale Facade, we, as Christian women, need to take a serious look at the status of modern relationships and see what’s truly working and what’s not. We need to get behind the false front and acknowledge the rubble. The Fairy Tale Facade can be exposed only if we’re willing to stop and ask some pointed questions. 

If Hollywood’s version of true love works so well in the movies, then why doesn’t it work in real life? If adultery is portrayed as free of consequences in TV shows, then why is it incredibly painful in real life? If sex outside of marriage seems to bring such great satisfaction in chick flicks, then why does it leave us empty and needing more in real life? If one-night stands are so fun and thrilling, then why do they leave us so miserable? If lasting love is defined by two beautiful people falling in love, then why is divorce so rampant? 

Despite the way Hollywood tries to convince us that true love can be found apart from God, the two of us aren’t buying it. We’ve seen the Fairy Tale Facade leave too many women disillusioned and empty. We’re done with the false front. We’re done buying into its empty promises. We’re done accepting the way it glamorizes sin. We’re done sitting back while it tries to hijack God’s design. We’re calling it out for what it truly is. False

In what ways have you seen the Fairy Tale Facade negatively affect you or people you know? 

Scripture

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About this Plan

Love Defined

If there’s one thing we have learned over years of dating, break-ups, prayers, waiting, and (for Kristen) marriage, it’s this: romantic relationships are complicated. Those charming princess movies we watched as kids didn’t do us any favors as we grew older. Can you relate? Whatever season of life you’re in, we pray this week-long devotional will help you discover God’s vision for lasting relationship. Because love was God’s idea in the first place!

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