For this book reading, each day will contain three very important element;
First, a unique aspect of love will be discussed.
Second, you will be given a specific dare to do for your spouse.
Last, you will need a journal to log what you are learning and doing and how your spouse is responding by answering the 'question of the day'. These note will record your progress and should become priceless to you in the future.
The entire book will not be published but every chapter will be previewed and I strongly recommend that you get a hard copy for future references.
Ensure that you do not miss any part of this book reading. Enjoy!
DAY 4: Love is not Irritable
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
—Proverbs 16:32
—Proverbs 16:32
In the deep and private corridors of your heart, there is a room. It's called the Appreciation Room. It is where your thoughts go when you encounter positive and encouraging things about your spouse. On the walls are written kind words and phrases describing the good attributes of your mate. Most things in the Appreciation Room are likely written in the initial stages of your relationship.
Down another corridor of your heart lies the Depreciation Room, and unfortunately you visit there as well. On its wall are written things that bothers and irritate you about your spouse. The room is lined with the weaknesses and failures of your husband or wife. If you stay in this room long enough, you get depressed and start expressing things like, "My wife is so selfish," or "My husband can be such a jerk". Or maybe, "I think I married the wrong person".
But know this, spending time in the depression room kills marriages. The more time you spend in this place, the more your heart devalues your spouse. It begins the moment you walk in the door, and your care for them lessens with every seconds that ticks by.
You may say, "But these things are true!" Yes, but so are the things in the Appreciation Room. Everyone fails and has areas that need growth. This is a sad aspect of being human. We have all sinned.
Love knows about the Depreciation Room and does not live in denial that it exists. But love chooses not to live there.
You must decide to stop running to this room and lingering there after every frustrating event in your relationship. It does you no good and drains the joy out of your marriage. As much as possible, love focuses on the positive.
The only reason you should glance in the door of the Depreciation Room is to know how to pray for your spouse. And the only reason you should ever go in this room is to write " COVERED IN LOVE" in huge letters across the walls.
You must develop the habit of reining in your negative thoughts and focusing on the positive attributes of your mate. This is a crucial step as you learn to lead your heart to truly love your spouse. It is decision that you make whether they deserve it or not.
TODAY’S DARE
For today’s dare, get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Which list was easier to make? What did this reveal about your thoughts? What attribute did you thank your spouse for having?
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