Marriage Monday - Love Dare 23

Love always protects.  1 Corinthians 13:7

This summer my husband planted a large vegetable garden.  They started to grow and we were excited to eat some delicious home grown vegetables.  One day we went to check on the garden and there were parasites all over the corn.  Hundreds of beetles destroying what we (and by we I mean he, I didn't touch it, smiles) worked so hard for.


Sadly, there are parasites out there that want to destroy your marriage, too.  These little bugs are everywhere and can destroy you before you know it.  It's a battle you must wage to protect your marriage - when love puts on armor and picks up a sword to defend its own.  Your mate and your marriage needs your constant protections from things like:


Harmful influences.  Are you allowing certain habits to poison your home?  Things such as the internet and television not only can give us false expectations of our mate but it is also a time waster.  We spend so much time surfing the internet and in a daze as we sit in front of the tv when we could be spending that time with our mate.


Unhealthy relationships.  Not everyone has the material to be a good friend.  Do you have someone in your life who doesn't believe in sanctity of marriage? Do you have a friendship with another man?  We must be extra careful to guard our heart and marriage in these areas.  Innocent friendships can, without warning, lead to feelings and possibly actions that can destroy our marriage.


Shame.  Everyone deals with some level of inferiority and weakness.  In marriage we are open and vulnerable with our mate.  Secrets get out and faults are seen.  We need to let our love cover shame.


Parasites.  Watch out for parasites.  A parasite is anything that latches onto you or your partner and sucks the life out of your marriage.  These parasites can come in the form of addictions such as drugs, alcohol, p*ornography, gambling, etc.  They steal away your loyalty and heart from those you love.  Marriages rarely survive if parasites are present.  If you love your spouse, you must destroy any addiction that has your heart.  If you won't, it will destroy you.

Wives, you have a role as protector in your marriage.  You must guard your heart from being led away through novels, magazines, and other forms of entertainment that blur your perception of reality and put unfair expectations on your husband.   Ladies, are you going to protect your marriage?  Are you going to destroy the parasites that have come only to destroy your marriage?


Today's Dare:
Remove anything that is hindering your relationship, any addiction or influence that's stealing your affections and turning your heart away from your spouse.


Comment below telling us how you will destroy what is hindering your marriage.  Need prayer on how to destroy it?  Comment (or email me at jenifer@w2wministries.org) for prayer.  I would be honored to pray with you.


Sweet Blessings~