A Beautiful Adventure MarriageSample

Explore Compromise

What is one thing that makes going on an adventure so much fun? 

One, you’re getting out of your usual routine. You’re leaving the 9-5 of normal life and getting a chance to relax and have fun. You’re seeing new things, eating new food, and enjoying new experiences. You’re getting the chance to explore life in a new setting with a new point of view. You get to see how others live for a few days and what normal looks like to them. You get to see the beauty of this world. 

There are a lot of reasons why people enjoy adventures, but one of my favorite reasons is I get to explore all the things the Lord has created. I get to search out the beauty of God’s workmanship. 

I tell people all the time, I want to go to all the places, and I want to see all the things. I want to explore everything. I want to see and learn all I can about the world I live in. All adventures should have some kind of exploration to them and that includes the adventure of marriage.

How do you explore in marriage? One word . . .

Compromise

A compromise is “an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.”

As I was thinking about the word compromise, and how it’s necessary for a marriage to work, the word explore came to mind as well. So, what does explore mean?

Explore means  “travel in or through in order to learn about or familiarize oneself with it, inquire into or discuss (a subject or issue) in detail, or examine or evaluate (an option or possibility).” 

When I looked at the definitions to both words, I see how they could be used interchangeably in marriage. We are traveling through this adventure of marriage together and through it, we are constantly learning more about how our spouse views and responds to situations. 

When we take the time to discuss issues in detail and explore other options, possibilities, and points of view by having an open mind, compromise happens. Compromising with our spouse is a way of exploring all the possibilities. Through compromise, we can see things from different perspectives, and if we’re willing, we will learn that there is more than one correct way to do things.

Compromise is love in action.

Pray then Act

Do you have trouble seeing things from your spouse’s point of view? Do you only want to do things your way?

Adventure Awaits! Let’s Go!

Prayer

Father, although compromise is necessary for a marriage, it is hard. Help me to explore my spouse’s point of view, opinions, and ideas without instantly dismissing them for my own. Let compromise be something that is present in my marriage every day. Help me to actively love my spouse through compromise. 

Actions

Take some time today to pause and really listen to your spouse’s opinion and point of view. Explore all the possibilities instead of shooting everything down.