Actions Over Emotions

Actions over Emotions

Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:9

MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU today is to love your spouse, even when you have negative emotions toward him or her. You may ask, “Isn’t that being hypocritical?” My answer is no. Claiming to feel something that you do not feel is hypocritical, but acting lovingly regardless of your emotions is not. When you express kindness, you do not have to claim any warm emotional feeling. You are simply choosing to be kind.

The Bible tells us not to get tired of doing the right thing. When we treat our spouse kindly and lovingly, we are doing what pleases God. He promises that eventually, if we persevere, we will see blessing.

It is the same thing we do every morning. I don’t know about you, but if I got out of bed only on the mornings that I felt like it, I’d have bedsores. Almost every morning, I act in spite of my feelings and get up when the alarm goes off. Later I feel good about having gotten up—most days, at least.

Negative feelings are more often alleviated when they are ignored rather than pampered. When you act positively in spite of negative emotions, it tends to change the emotional climate between husband and wife. Resentment dissipates, and both spouses are more open to each other. Perhaps this is the blessing God promises! Once you’re at that point, then together you can deal with the issue that initially stimulated your negative feelings.

Father, please give me the perseverance to treat my spouse kindly, even when I don’t feel like it and even when I feel like giving up. I know that when I express your love, the atmosphere between my spouse and me can change. I need your will and determination to move beyond my emotions and do the right thing. Thank you for helping me, Lord.

Acting in Love