Remember how excited you were when you first married? How can you respond if those feelings wane? Here’s how you can purposefully keep your heart in the game by considering these three heart attributes:
Have a Hot Heart – Elizabeth George in her book, Woman After God’s Own Heart writes, “Our heart for God should be like a boiling pot. Our heart should be characterized by God-given and intense emotion and passion for our Lord. After all, when a teakettle is boiling on your stove, you know it!”
If you need some help rekindling the flame in your marriage, start with your relationship with God. When things are tight between you and God, you can receive the grace you need to be passionate about your marriage too.
Have a Trusting Heart – When my son Ethan was three years old, he was very afraid of going into a swimming pool. One day, James told him to jump into his arms. Ethan stood there, his feet solidly cemented to the ground. “Look into my eyes and trust me,” coaxed his daddy. “I won’t let you fall.” With great faith and his eyes half closed, Ethan flung himself into his father’s arms. There were a few tears but he survived. Every time he jumped, it got easier.
This picture is what it sometimes feels like to trust God in your marriage. Sometimes it feels like jumping into the great unknown, hoping there will be a safety net. Keep jumping because your Heavenly Father will catch you.
Have an Obedient Heart – Have you ever had a two year old stare you in the face, stand toe to toe with you, and declare with unbridled boldness, “NO!!!” When you think of it, a disobedient child is terribly unhappy. Do you want a happy heart, one that feels youthful and light? Then learn how to obey God in the big and small matters of life.
In Acts 13:22, David was described as a man after God’s own heart: “I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” David’s heart was praised because of his obedience.
When your heart is hot for God, trusting Him completely in your marriage, and obedient, your marriage will be characterized by a heart that’s in the game!
