I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord.
Hosea 2:20
Today’s dare asks the queestion, “How do you handle it when the love you give is rejected?”.
Wow. That is a difficult one. Difficult meaning it’s awfully hard to continue to show love, to pour out love to someone who doesn’t accept it or refuses it. Even in those times, that is what we are commanded to do. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…your soul…your strength…your mind…and love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
If you notice, it doesn’t say anywhere, to only love when you get something in return. To only love when your love is appreciated. We are to love always. Without ceasing. Could you imagine if God only loved us when we were appreciative? Would we EVER want to go running back to Him and fall into His arms again? Probably not. Why would we? So think about it. Why would your husband want to fall into your arms again when he knows that you only love him in the good times?
EEK!
That’s a scary proposition. To love someone even when they are not loving you. I hope you know that I am not talking about loving someone who is mistreating you in terms of creating a dangerous situation for you or your children. (If you are in that type of situation, please seek help. A great resource is the Focus on the Family Help Center, which provides counselors to listen and pray with you, as well as provide guidance and resources to help you and your family thrive. Arrange to speak with a licensed Christian counselor at no cost by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Mountain time.)
When you first said your vows, the future looked so bright and filled with hope. As the two of you moved on from that glorious day, life took over. Things started happening in your marriage and maybe instead of being lovers, you became more like enemies. Or in the case of my husband and me, we became apathetic. We always loved each other, but that vibrance and passion we had on Day 1 of our marriage definitely was missing. For many, that can be the beginning to the end. But it doesn’t have to be! If you are able to fill yourself with the type of hope and love that only God can provide and pour that out onto your husband, things can change. I am not saying they will, because in life there are no guarantees, other than we have a God who never leaves our side and loves us more than we could ever imagine.
If you’re reading this and thinking, ‘Why should I bother? He’s not going to change.’, then stop yourself. This is not about you doing something so that YOU can change your husband. This is about you changing so that GOD can change your husband. God will work through you.
‘The question is, ‘Are you willing to take that chance?’.
Today’s dare.
Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to them today in words similar to these, “I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don’t love me in return.”
At the end of the day, answer these questions:
1. Why is this kind of love impossible without the love of Christ beating in your heart?
2. How does His presence within you enable you to love, even when it’s primarily one-sided?
Congratulations! You have completed Day 22! Tomorrow’s dare is Love Always Protects.
