Think on These Things

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Philippians 4:8

These verses are never more true when applied to marriage. Ray and I will celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, and I can assure you, a long marriage isn't based on feelings. It is based on thinking what is true, honorable, just, ....  As you wake up each morning, your thoughts must be trained to think what's right. And it's easy to go to bed with thoughts that are less than God glorifying. Your mind can drift into bad habits just like over-eating, nail-biting, laziness, etc. Throughout the day, it's helpful to keep theses verses in front of you. You know the picture of a carrot on a string in front of a donkey, imagine these verses in front of your face like that. I have often wished I could keep Scripture in front of me like that. When we focus too much on feelings, our hearts might get discouraged. I don't know about you, but my marriage hasn't been all mushy romance every day. Ray is very romantic sometimes, writing poems and planning special dates. Sometimes, he isn't. And I'm even worse. (Since I'm writing here I won't list out all of my forgetfulness.) Goosey feelings and sweet nothings are important, but they are not what keeps a marriage strong. It's thinking on what's true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.