Building Better Love : The Mission of Loving WellSample

Your Daily Decision

The longer I am married, the more firmly I believe that our husbands are our gifts. They are not our benefactors and we are not their trophies. Both husband and wife are sacred treasures to one another, therefore we must handle each other as such, deciding, no matter what, to pursue building Christ-centered love in the sacred mission of marriage (Philippians 2:3). This must be a daily decision.

It's easy to commit to this when the vacations are consistent and the sheets are always wrinkled, but I want to encourage you that whether you’re having a difficult time making financial decisions or struggling to cool off from a tiny disagreement, you are a strong woman in every situation and strong women aren’t afraid of difficult things. Strong women step out into the water and intentionally walk towards greater. Strong women see the giants and run towards them. Strong women see the flames and know that they will not consume her. How is this possible? It’s because the presence of God brings peace, comfort, and courage.

Strong women know they are not alone, and they know they are living for more than just themselves, their feelings, or their rights or agendas. There is purpose in the process, so let the Lord fuel your daily decisions to choose to love well and to love right. Trust that God’s love within you has equipped you to make the daily decision to do the greatest thing: to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Your husband is your neighbor and he needs the strength of your love, just as you need his.

Remember always that love chooses to receive when rejection is so much easier. Love enables us to choose grace rather than render punishment; forgiveness, rather than vindication; compassion, instead of condemnation. Love gives the kisses, even when we're angry. Love goes to work even when we are tired. Love cooks the food, even when we feel unappreciated. Love extends itself, even when we feel offended or disrespected and love builds the other up, even when we feel drained or unnoticed. In so doing, you will uplift your marriage as well as your man. He wants to be chosen, too! He wants to feel needed and missed and thought of, too! It starts with the simple everyday gestures of intentionality.

I want every wife to realize the power of her choice within her marriage and I want every wife to know that God is working in you and through you and that your marriage is purposed. Even in the difficulties, the Lord uses your marriage to meet a need in your life and for His kingdom. It’s your decision whether or not to celebrate that.

I know you desire to choose the loving thing and I am cheering you on to continue in your pursuits because your husband needs to see that you are choosing him, every day. He needs to see that you have decided to reach for him and champion him. He needs to see that you are excited to kiss him and be touched by him. He needs to hear you complimenting him on a job well done. He needs to be shown genuine affection, not routine toleration. I know you want to. I know you’re trying. I’m here to celebrate you and encourage you to never stop.

In what ways can you deepen your daily decision to love your husband with God's love?