Sunday, March 7, 2010

March 7, 2010

"Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life." Ecclesiates 9:9

For several years I made a living as a salesman. I had to convince people that that sleek, shiny, and powerful piece of metal was well worth tens of thousands of their hard earned dollars. Not many people make a decision like that purely based on logic. I had to appeal to their emotions and help them believe that it made sense. The last thing I wanted was for them to make a logical decision. My job was to get them to lead with their heart and not their head.
Emotions are powerful. Everyone loves to feel good. But emotions are also unreliable and can easily lead you astray. Not everything you want to do you should do. And there are things you don't feel like doing that you must do.

I can only speak for myself but the times I have made poor decisions were the times when I led with my heart. While I was following my feelings there was a red flag waving in the back of my mind.

Life is so much better when you learn to let your head lead your heart. Ironically, you will feel better for longer! Not only will you feel better because of the decision you make you will feel better about the decision.

When it comes to love and marriage, you cannot be guided by your heart. But unfortunately, many are. Everything is aimed at your heart. All the music and all the media says, "Follow your heart." It sounds good. It seems to make sense. That is, until you try it. When you do buy into that line of reasoning you are cruisin' for some losin'!
 
The Bible tells us not the follow our heart but rather to lead our heart. How do we lead our heart? We lead our heart by thinking and acting according to God's Word. We let our thoughts guide our feelings. We "faith it" until we "feel it".
 
Choose to love your spouse with abandon. Fully commit to it. Do loving things and dwell on loving thoughts. Guard your heart and guide your heart according to Biblical principles. Delight yourself in loving your spouse and thank God continually for her.
 
If you have not been in the habit of doing this, will you try it today? Do something to demonstrate how you love and cherish her? What will that be?