The Adjustments That Make Marriage Work
By Rick Warren
“Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.” 1 John 3:18 (GNT)
Every marriage—and, really, every relationship—offers many opportunities for adjustments. Your life together will change. Your kids will grow up. You’ll change jobs. You’ll move. You’ll get sick. Life will force you to make adjustments.
And to make these adjustments successfully, you’ll need to become unselfish. In fact, learning to be unselfish may be the greatest lesson God wants to teach you through your marriage.
Unselfishness is at the core of what the Bible teaches in 1 John 3:18: “Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action” (GNT).
Here are three ways we all can make unselfish, loving adjustments:
1. Think about what your spouse needs. The Bible says, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” (Philippians 2:4 NLT). Unfortunately, often the longer you’re married, the less you think about your spouse’s needs. The Bible urges you to look out for everyone’s needs—but especially the needs of those in your own home.
2. Submit to each other. The Bible calls spouses to submit to each other—to give up what you really want in order to meet your spouse’s needs. Ephesians 5:21 says, “Honor Christ by submitting to each other” (TLB). Some men think their wives should do all of the adjusting in marriage. But as leaders of the home, husbands are called to lead the way in sacrificing and in making adjustments—just as Jesus did. Paul writes, “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her” (Ephesians 5:25 NLT).
3. Make adjustments in the little things. Maybe it means arriving a little bit later or leaving a little bit earlier. Maybe it means going to bed at a different time. Maybe it means going to the restaurant or watching the movie your spouse prefers. Maybe it means listening when your spouse needs you to listen and not just when you feel like it. Real love is expressed through those small, daily decisions to adjust and meet each other’s needs.
The test of real love isn’t in what you say. It’s in how you act.
When your love is mature, you treat your mate like Jesus would. 1 John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us” (GNT).
Make the adjustments to love your spouse as Christ does. That decision will change everything.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes
As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.
Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.
As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.
Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.
Thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.