Jerry Bridges says the biggest challenge of your marriage may be loving your mate on the day when you don’t feel like it. Jerry is a respected author and mature Christian believer. He says marriage is the most intense environment for practicing love. Is that true in your marriage?

    Jerry says he is discovering the power to love his wife when love is not coming naturally. He preaches the Gospel to himself. Let me explain.

    When he blows his top and speaks harshly to his wife, what should he do?

apologize to her sincerely? Yes!
ask for forgiveness from her and from God? Yes!

Then he prays:

“Father, you paid for my sins on the cross, I’m forgiven. Help me live that way.”

    When we really know God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus, then we are empowered to love others, no matter how we are feeling toward them on a particular day.

    Think of your own marriage. Preach the Gospel to yourself. Remember, God has loved you in Jesus Christ and act lovingly toward your mate.

    God’s word from Ephesians 5 says it this way: “Watch what God does, and then do it—like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.”

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For Randy’s free book entitled, “Your Family’s Guide to Surviving the Nineties” is available free at 1 (800) 759-3300.

For additional information on building strong marriages and families, check our Randy’s special feature article in Heartlight this week, entitled “Rebuilding our Families.” Also, be sure to read Paul Faulkner’s column Making Life Work for Your Family, or search all of previous Heartlight materials using the search words “family” and “marriage.”