Love Is ... Positive
Theme of the Week: A Grace-Filled Marriage
Monday, February 8, 2010
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) Bonus Reading: 1 John 4:7-16, 20-21
One of the things I love about my wife is that she's persistent. If she gets something in mind, she makes it happen. One of the things that irritates me about her is her stubbornness. What's the difference between persistence and stubbornness? When she pushes her persistence too far. Or from my perspective, whether I agree or disagree with what she's doing!
I can't love stubborn people. If Karen's vacuuming the floor, and I step in front of her to get a hug, if I'm not careful, I'll get sucked up in the vacuum. She's completely on task.
If I see that as stubbornness—the negative characteristic—it becomes difficult for me to love her. If I can focus on the persistence—the positive side—and remember that this is part of what I love in her, not only do I nurture and grow what's positive in her, but I nurture and grow my character too.
How do we best do that? The apostle Paul tells us: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Philippians 4:8, NIV).
We need to concentrate on things that are the best, not the worst.
—Michael Sytsma in Marriage Partnership
My Response: One attribute or character trait I appreciate most about my spouse is …
Adapted from our sister publication Marriage Partnership (Fall/2008) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced. To read the entire article upon which this week's devotionals are based, go to intimatemarriage.org/grace.
Copyright © 2010 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Dear heavenly Father, your grace is great! Without it I am forever lost. Empower me to extend grace to my wife because you have extended immeasurable grace to me.
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