The Ministry of MarriageSample

WHAT ARE OUR ASSETS?

Yesterday we talked about liabilities and laying aside the weight of sin, distractions and unhealthy relationships that hold you back from reaching your full potential in marriage. Today we will talk about discovering your assets in your marriage. And just like every marriage has its share of liabilities, every marriage also has assets. I know there are some of you probably thinking to yourself, “Lonnie, you don’t know how bad our situation is. Our marriage is barely hanging on by a thread and I seriously doubt if we have any assets to discover.” Although I empathize with your situation, I disagree with you. Regardless of your circumstance or how awful it may be, you’re still in the fight and have not thrown in the towel yet, so that’s proof that you have at least one asset still worth fighting for.

An asset is defined as something useful or valuable. Typically when people discuss assets, it's in the context of property, wealth or material possessions, but those are not the types of assets I’m talking about. When I mention assets as it pertains to marriage, I’m talking about the intangible things that money can’t buy. Things like love, peace, joy, family, companionship, intimacy, friendship, honesty, openness and passion, just to name a few. These are the assets that help cultivate an amazing and lasting marriage. Every once in a while, you must set aside some time to take inventory of the assets you have in your marriage. By making time to do this, it helps minimize or eliminate the thoughts or feelings of lack in your relationship. And it prevents you from falling into the comparison trap by comparing what you have to what another couple has. It also gives you a greater appreciation for your spouse and helps you protect your investment in your marriage.

My wife Kara is my best friend and we value our friendship as much as we value each other as husband and wife. I realize when I hurt my best friend, I in turn hurt myself. When I am dishonest with my best friend, I am not only affecting her trust in me, but I am damaging our friendship as well as our marriage. Our friendship is one of our greatest assets in our marriage and I am willing to fight for it and guard it at all costs. What are some things you value in your marriage that money can’t buy? What are you doing to protect your investment? I challenge you as a couple to spend some uninterrupted time alone to make a list of your assets and share your thoughts, feelings and ideas on what you both can do to enhance them. Your marriage is valuable and God honors it. Make it a priority to add value to each other’s lives consistently and watch how fulfilling and pleasurable your marriage can be because of your daily investment.

Prayer: Lord, You do all things well. You created marriage for a husband and wife to have oneness with each other and with You. Your Word says marriage is honourable and we choose to honour You in our marriage. Help us to see the priceless value in each other and give us the tenacity and boldness to guard it from anything that will try to hinder it or destroy it. Thank You for Your investment in us and we surrender to Your will for our marriage. We love You and honour You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.