DAY 12 — LOVE LETS THE OTHER WIN. PHILIPPIANS 2:4 KJVOne of the greatest struggles in any marriage can be the desire to have the last word, prove our point, or get our own way. Sometimes an argument continues long after the issue should have ended simply because neither person wants to give in. But biblical love asks a different question. Instead of asking, “How can I win?” Love asks, “What is best for us?” Philippians 2 points us to the greatest example of humility—Jesus Christ. He did not come demanding His rights. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. That same mind of Christ should influence the way we treat one another. First Corinthians 13:5 teaches that charity “seeketh not her own.” Love does not always demand its own preference. It is willing to listen, consider the other person’s needs, and sometimes surrender something that really is not worth fighting over. That does not mean truth does not matter. It does not mean one spouse should accept sinful, harmful, or abusive behavior. And it does not mean every disagreement can be solved simply by giving in. It means our pride should never become more important than our marriage. Proverbs 15:1 KJV says:
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Sometimes the strongest person in an argument is not the one who speaks the loudest. Sometimes strength is demonstrated by the person who can lower their voice, control their pride, listen, and say, “This is not worth hurting the person I love.”
Day 12 of The Love Dare challenges us to identify an area where stubbornness has created unnecessary tension. Maybe both people have been pulling against each other.