By Pastor Faith Oyedepo |
Topic: Building a Glorious Home (2)
Dear Reader,
Last week, we examined a strong foundation in building a glorious home. In the natural, it is not enough to have a good foundation in place, one must also be very conscious of using the right kind of materials to build a structure that can stand the test of time. This is equally true in marriage.
Materials, here, represent divine blue prints and Biblical principles intelligently drawn from the Word of God. The Word of God listed these three time-tested, unfailing, guaranteed materials for building a glorious home. God’s Word says: Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength (Proverbs 24: 3-4).
Knowledge –means facts, skills, gained through learning and experience. We live in an age of information; the informed people rule the world. If you are not informed, you will be deformed.
You must, however, translate the information to conviction, which will motivate your actions. It takes a meek and teachable spirit to go in search of relevant knowledge and apply them in the face of reality.
What Do You Need To Know?
- That nothing in life is maintenance-free, marriage inclusive. So, work at making it work!
- Differences must arise in marriage, but they are not proofs of crisis. If properly handled, differences are beneficial and essential to a healthy marriage/family relationship.
- How to communicate (both verbally and non-verbally). Communication has been called the life-blood of a relationship. How true! Communication is a major weapon in our fight against crisis in the family.
- How to confront in love (without rejecting) when things are going wrong. Speak the truth in love always, watching your timing, tone of voice and motives. “Love without truth is hypocrisy, but truth without love is brutality!” (Ephesians 4: 15).
- How to forgive – marriage is a union of two forgivers! It’s all about giving and forgiving, as often as the need arises.
- Understand who you are – your strength, weaknesses, abilities, likes, dislikes, needs, goals for life, expectations, etc. Understand yourself first!
- Understand what marriage is and is not. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman in an exclusive, God-ordained relationship for a life-time.
- Marriage is a perfect union with imperfect practitioners. Marriage requires labour (Ecclesiastes 9:9) and patience to work.
- Marriage is not an avenue for having only your needs met, but meeting the needs of another.
- Marriage is not the source of true joy and contentment; God is.
- Marriage is God’s mystery for earthly dominion (Genesis 1: 28).
- Understand that men and women are very different, not just physically but emotionally, in the way that they react and respond to issues and in their general outlook towards everyday life. Understand how to get the best out of your spouse, without destroying or compromising their uniqueness.
- Understand that you can never correct a negative action with a negative reaction. Two wrongs will never make a right. Learn to keep hurts and disappointments in perspective, and always give your spouse the benefit of the doubt.
- Understand that love is a decision, an act of your will, a choice, commitment and hard work! Love never fails!
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