2020 Marriage Challenge Day 19

Day 19 of the 28-Day Marriage Challenge

Day 19: Love Grieves

When I was writing Happily, I loved the concept of the words of Jesus applying to marriage. It was so easy to see the parallels between so many of the Beatitudes and marriage. Yet one didn't seem to fit--"Blessed are those who mourn." Yet as I wrote the book, it became my favorite chapter. Love grieves. It gives us the power to confront the hardships of life, to admit that aspects of life do not turn out the way we desire, and empowers us to let it be known that we are hurt, sad, or sorrow-filled because of things going on around us, to us, and even within us. It seems as though the grieving would hurt our lives or our marriage, but the reality is that it helps it. When we live in denial of the sorrows of life, those sorrows still impact us. They just do so below the surface. However, whenever we name our pains, confront our sorrows, and grieve our losses, it can lessen the power of those griefs. What's amazing is that when we deny our griefs, it has an unintended consequence--it causes us to downplay our joys. Yet when we fully face our grief, it empowers us to greater appreciate the good around us. Those who grieve well, feel gratitude better. Those who don't grieve, don't feel gratitude.Love grieves. Then it gives thanks.           Application: The Most Overlooked Characteristic of Who You Want to Marry has been read nearly 5 million times. Read the article and discuss with your spouse what sticks out to you. How can you suffer and grieve well together?               For more, see:7 Recommended Books for When Life HurtsEmbrace the Bad Days