What Does It REALLY Take?

It takes EFFORT! Sorry, but anything worth having is worth working for and fighting to keep.  There is no stronger message Andrea and I can share with you than that.  

The Lord loved us so much He sent His only son to not just come down from Heaven to save us, but DIE on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).  It is the perfect illustration of solving a problem you didn’t cause.

In marriage, we sometimes feel life would be easier if our spouse did something different, if they put forth a little more effort to make us happy or if they cared more about us than this thing or that. Fortunately, our Father didn’t have that attitude or we would be looking at an eternity of discomfort.

The truth is, we are NOT God.  We have a sinful flesh that can be selfish sometimes.  Our egos sometimes get in the way of our common sense.  That’s why it’s so important to understand what it truly means to put forth effort and fight for what we want to keep.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO PUT FORTH EFFORT:

1. Taking responsibility for your personal boundaries - These are important aspects of who you are that lie within your boundaries:

   1. Feelings

   2. Attitudes

   3. Behaviors

   4. Choices

   5. Limits

   6. Desires

   7. Thoughts

   8. Values

   9. Talents

   10. Love

2. Owning your stuff - Be responsible for yourself and don’t hold anyone else hostage by your inability to do so.

3. Understanding the concept of “You Are NOT Me” - Remember, we are all individuals and the world doesn’t revolve around us alone.

4. Valuing what you want - Unpleasant things seek the level they are allowed to exist in your life.  Ultimately, what you value is what you will have in your marriage.

THE BIG TAKEAWAY IS: 

Anything worth having is worth working for and fighting to keep.  Remember, Jesus paid a price for a sin He didn’t commit. We owe it to him to put forth the effort our marriage needs to survive.