(Love) always hopes…1 Corinthians 13:7c
Last week we took a brief look at how love always trusts. This week we'll look at what love does when it is finding it difficult to trust. Yes, I write as though love exists in itself simply because it does in God. Attributes of love, when displayed by mankind, are godly characteristics that flow out of the connection between the Creator- God and his creation - mankind.
NEVER Give Up
I continue to be amazed at the hopelessness expressed by the many couples that I encounter in ministry. Sadly, all-too-many couples have given up in circumstances that are not unlike those in nearly every marriage, labeling the distorted view of their marriage as "hopeless".
But, what about the times when the trust has, yet again been betrayed? Or the times when the change promised has not become a reality? What is there left to do? Hope! Hope is that aspect of love that, even when the opposite of the desired direction or outcome is observed in a person, the hopeful mate will still cling to the faithful belief that their loved one will make the change that is needed.
Perhaps the change that is needed is within us. Do we hold to a hope that we will, in God's power and our effort, make the changes within ourselves that will help our relationship to thrive?
Hope In Practical Terms
How might our love exhibit hope? Let me suggest to you four things that each of us can do to practice hope.
1. Be Humble - Use the other aspects of love we've previously looked at to guard your mind, attittude, speech and actions.
2. Be Optimistic - Expect and watch for progress in the problem areas of your and/or your spouse's life. When you see progress - Celebrate it!
3. Be Prayerful - Always be in prayer. God hears the prayers of his people and is "close to the broken hearted" (Ps 34:18).
4. Be an Encourager - Encourage your spouse regularly, even when he or she isn't acting in the way you want them to.
On one occasion, I witnessed hope to the extreme. A woman stood up in a church service and asked for prayer for her soon-to-be ex-husband. Contrary to her desire the divorce papers had been signed and the man of her life was gone. She asked us to pray for his salvation because she knew God's priority was his soul and, compared to that, the rest was, as she put it, "not important". While I believe that every marriage is important, I have never forgotten that woman's request or the hope that she had even after her pain, her dissappointment and her loss.
You may have heard the saying that says. "When you get to the end of your rope, make a knot and hang on!" Guess what holds that proverbial knot together? Hope!
Question of the Week: What are the areas in your marriage relationship that you need to have hope for?
For Marriages & Families,
Dave
Love & Respect Ministries, Binding Hearts Marriage & Family Ministries and Grace Fellowship
invite you to...
A Valentines To Remember February 13-14, 2009 at Grace Fellowship Canton, Ohio Details Coming Soon
Info: revdkidd@gmail.com
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