BulletProof Your MarriageSample

Everyone has a deep need to feel loved. Children and adults alike have emotional tanks that need to be topped up in order to live life well. We use the word "love" in so many different ways–I love ice cream, my mother, my dog, a sunny day, playing tennis, my spouse, my kids, or my home. But the word "love" can be misunderstood or even misused, and people can water down the meaning of love.

If we want our love to last a lifetime, we need to understand that love is more than a feeling; it is a choice. It’s a decision we make to love others, even when they don’t deserve it. Love is about giving, not receiving. True love isn’t fickle–it’s not here today and gone tomorrow. It’s consistent and constant, and it does not depend on circumstances.

We probably all want a great and loving marriage relationship, but we don’t always know how to achieve this. The trouble is that we often fail to recognize the best possible way to express love to those closest to us. Author Gary Chapman gives tremendous insight into this area in his book, “The Five Love Languages.” Learning how both you and your spouse express and receive love (often in very different ways) is a powerful key to enriching your marriage. Understanding your spouse’s love language makes for greater communication and connection in your relationship.

Love from a biblical perspective is not just about feelings that are mushy, heart-warming or passionate. The Bible has some excellent instructions about how to practice a “you first” attitude towards others. Deciding to love when we don’t feel it will help us grow our love into something more mature, stable, satisfying, and lasting. Don’t strain at how to attract love; learn how to give it away!

If you have enjoyed this plan and would like to learn more about God’s covenant for marriage, and insights on how to walk through the challenges that couples experience, then have a look at my book, BulletProof Your Marriage. Or connect with us at David McCracken Ministries for articles, videos, and much more on leadership, faith, and prophetic ministry.