| I'm sure you know that God loves and forgives | | | | to demonstrate love to your mate even when |
| you unconditionally. But did you know that He | | | | their reactions to you are not what you desire. |
| expects you to extend that same love and | | | | Oh, trust me; we know it's not easy! That's why |
| forgiveness to your spouse unconditionally? Of | | | | we call it "tough love" because this is the toughest |
| course I knew that, you say. But do you really? | | | | part of being married. Why is it so tough? It's so |
| Listen God loves us and forgives us daily when | | | | tough because it requires you to walk in the Spirit |
| we disobey Him, when we don't trust Him, when | | | | and deny your flesh. Not allowing your fleshly |
| we don't spend time with Him, and when we don't | | | | feelings to control you is an enormous task that |
| listen to Him. | | | | requires much practice. But practice it you must, |
| Can you love your spouse when they don't | | | | because God expects you to love and forgive |
| behave in the manner you desire? I mean really | | | | just as he does and did. |
| love them without getting an attitude. Can you | | | | Listen, forget about what your spouse is or is not |
| demonstrate love when you feel they're not | | | | doing. You can't play the blame game anymore. |
| listening to you? Can you walk in love when they | | | | When you come to the end of your days on this |
| don't spend time with you? Can you love when | | | | earth and stand before God; you will only have to |
| trust has been broken? | | | | give an account for your behavior, not your |
| Well, you can't do it in and of your own abilities. | | | | spouse. God will not ask you how your spouse |
| You can only accomplish this through the power | | | | responded to you. He will only ask you what you |
| of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will enable you | | | | did in response to His word. |