DAY 35 "LOVE IS ACCOUNTABLE"

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." Prov. 15:22 (NIV)

A paragraph from the Love Dare reads as follows:
A couple that faces problems alone is more likely to fall apart during tough times. However, the ones who interlock their lives in a network of other strong marriages radically increase their chances of surviving the fiercest of storms. It is CRUCIAL that a husband and wife pursue godly advice, healthy friendships, and experienced mentors. EVERYONE NEEDS WISE COUNSIL THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. Wise people constantly seek it and gladly receive it.
Good marriage mentors warn us before making a bad decision. They encourage when we are ready to give up and to cheer you on when you reach new levels of intimacy in your mariage.
I do caution(me speaking now) it be someone of mature faith and not a friend you just go dump all your marriage problems to because if their marriage is not healthy or is not to the level of your marriage they are only offering opinions and we all have VERY DIFFERENT OPINIONS AND OPINIONS ARE OPINIONS NOT TRUTH. So in that my encouragement would be to find someone whom is led by the unchanging Word of God and not opinions. We all need accountability partners I am just now learning myself what this should look like as well as the very importance of them. I also agree that we need good healthy Godly relationships (meaning whom we spend our time with) to model as well as support the way a godly marriage should look as well as help encourage us and remind us in times of difficulty. An important reminder from scripture: "Each one of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)
The author of Love Dare advises that our husbands and ourselves have godly friendships as well as mentors on a consistent basis. The Bible says: " Encourage one another day after day.... so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:13)
we often isolate ourselves from others and we need to be very careful not to push the people that love you the most away. If you find your marriage in trouble today I want to encourage you
to call the Pastor, a bible believing mentor/counselor or seek a marriage class conference or study. I know from experience our Pastor is great and looks at it not as a man but on both sides and directing it to biblical truth and is very helpful. In my own personal experience I will be REAL HONEST I was putting off seeing the Pastor or any kind of help at this time we had already seen counselors and I was ashamed and prideful and only was thinking of how it would make me look well I have to say I could not have felt better than I did after meeting with him for the first time. Now you may be saying to yourself well I KNOW my mate WILL NOT GO AT ALL first pray next you make an appointment for you alone and watch as things work, and remember the scripture I spoke of few minutes ago says each one (of us)will give an account
and only for our actions and choices not our spouses. Today's dare was to find a marriage mentor if you do not have someone already someone whom will be loving and honest with you one whom seeks the Bible in finding the answers.
Father this is so hard for us personally and for many I KNOW yet I also am learning the importance so I pray you would place these mentors, friends, counselors, and Pastor's in our path may we be transparent and lay all pride aside seeking to have a whole-hearted godly marriage that you intend for each of us to have. Father I pray for the marriage right now that may be in trouble for one of them to make the first step and seek help and know as the devotion reminded we ALL NEED COUNSEL from time to time and that too is ok it is just another hiccup on the path to becoming more like you WE ALL NEED AN EXTRA HAND OF GUIDANCE
FROM TIME TO TIME. Father I pray for those mentors and friends that you would be their mouthpieces make them sensitive to the situations give them that agape love we all need Father we lift our marriages to you now and ask you to do a mighty work throughout each marriage in our church body. In Jesus Name Amen

On a personal note I ask you to pray Greg and I would find some godly couples to hangout with from time to time we just dont have that to this point we did and they moved away so it has been hard for Greg. Also thanks so much for prayers my shoulder/neck and back is all better I woke up today and pain is 99% gone just a little sore now and tummy is doing better today too but may need to consult the doctor on this one though so praying for guidance and direction.
Until Next Time,
Cindy