“Every high has a low and every low has a high.” That is a fact of life.
Life can be compared to a school master, who from time to time puts us through tests, and when we pass those tests, we achieve new levels of understanding. It’s the same with your marriage.
You must have heard the saying that once the honeymoon period is over, your love will be tested. There will be moments when you will see the ‘wrong’ side of your partner. Will that cause you to behave the same ‘wrong’ way that your spouse behaves or will you prove successful in your Love Test?
Here is a true love test that you should not miss!
Will you pass the Love Test when you encounter:
– the impatient side of your partner?
– the unkind words of your partner?
– the arrogant and adamant nature of your partner?
– the disrespectful times of your partner?
– the angry and bad moods moments of your partner?
– the selfish and greedy moments in your partner?
– the dishonest moments in your partner?
Saying, “I LOVE YOU” everyday does not change a thing. You see, after marriage you will face moments that you did not see coming in your love compatibility test. No one plans these moments, yet as the passions of the flesh wars with the Spirit of God in us, the ugly tentacles of sin surfaces from time to time.
However, let’s not forget that in Romans 12:21, the Bible says,”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (ESV, emphasis added). We need to daily put our flesh to death by walking in the fruit of the Spirit.
Let us remember to:
– Selflessly love (even when it’s not your fault)
– Be the happiness carrier (don’t be a grump)
– Be at peace with one another (Ok, the ego goes out of the door!)
– Be tolerant and patient (Mishaps do happen!)
– Be graciously kind to your partner (Remember, you’ll need them too)
– Show lots of goodness (Men, try the kitchen)
– Continue to be faithful (Yep!)
– Be more gentle (Especially when you don’t want to be gentle)
– And exercise self-control (At all times)
When you walk in God’s ways as a couple, He will bless the work of your hands. God will honor and bless every good thought, word and action that you invest into your marriage.
One good exercise you could practise at home is to put your ‘name’ instead of the word ‘love’ when reading 1 Corinthians 13:4 – 8.
vs 4_______ is patient, _______ is kind. _______ does not envy, _______ does not boast, _______ is not proud. 5_______ is not rude, _______ is not self-seeking, _______ is not easily angered, _______ keeps no record of wrongs. 6_______ does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7_______ always protects, _______ always trusts, _______ always hopes, _______ always perseveres.
Go ahead try that now. Both of you read this to each other and declare it everyday or at least once a week. I promise as you do this exercise honestly, the Holy Spirit will reveal to you the areas where you are struggling, and then ask His help to pass the Love Test in those!
On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you rate yourself on the Love Test, (considering that 10 implies a perfect success). Now how about asking your spouse to rate you? Is there a match? What are the main areas that you struggle with? And if you are not too embarrassed, let us know your ratings in the comment section below.