Love & Intimacy
Marriage statistics can be down right depressing! Just 2 years ago, Life Innovations published in their newsletter that 90% of people get married once, but the “average” divorce rate continues to be 50% and rises significantly higher with subsequent marriages; less than half of all couples will celebrate their 25th anniversary and the 7-year itch leads to divorce in the 8th year.
The good news is there is hope for married couples; and with focus on love, intimacy and intentional effort, marriage can be the most meaningful and enjoyable relationship two people experience. So, what is love what does it look like and how do you cultivate them? God’s word of course, outlines many things about love. 1 Corinthians 4:13ff gives us a good view of love: it is patient, kind, does not envy or boast, is not proud, rude, self-seeking or easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs and it always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. The Bible also shows us in principle that love is a choice since God chose to love us first even though we were unlovable. In marriage, love can be seen like this: when the satisfaction, security and the personal growth of your spouse becomes as significant to you as your own. Intentionality is the key. When couples lessen the energy toward the relationship, it is easy for emotional drift to take place and feelings of closeness, intimacy and support to diminish.