Feb 16 2009
Love is a choice…right?
Do you believe that love is a choice?
How can it be a choice? From childhood, we’ve been taught that love is a feeling, an emotion. It comes from the heart, not the head.
I don’t agree. I think that love is a choice. We’re all familiar with the verse in 1 Corinthians: “Love is patient, love is kind…” To be patient and kind and selfless are all choices. We are given opportunities and situations, and how we act in them is up to us.
When your spouse does something that frustrates you, how do you react? With patience? Or do you nag or complain? I know a lot of times my first thoughts are along the lines of “he’s doing it again!”
We have the choice. You have the choice.
When we go into a marriage, we know that there will be times that are hard. We’re warned about this. Our vows cover this scenario. “For better, or for worse”, right?
During the “worse” parts, our emotions may not reflect love. So how do we keep loving when we’re angry or frustrated?
We need to choose to love. Even when our husband or wife does something that irks us, we need to choose to love them in spite of their actions. If not, Satan squeezes right in there. He doesn’t need much room. The tiniest of openings, and he’s found it.
We need to pray! Pray for our husband or wife. Pray for our marriage. Keep God involved. He wants, and needs, to be there!
Ecclesiastes 4:12
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (NCV)
God, help me to choose to love. Help me to recognize the opportunities you give me to love my spouse, even when my feelings aren’t feeling very loving. Be present in my marriage, and help us to keep our focus on You. Without You, our marriage will not be strong enough to withstand the world. I give myself and my marriage to You. Amen.
Hine and I been married 21 years. We have learned to agree to disagree.