EMOTIONAL INTIMACY
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
Proverbs 27:9 (NLT)
Emotional intimacy is crucial for healthy and stable relationships. This kind of intimacy often leads to growth in other areas, such as physical, intellectual and spiritual intimacy.
Many couples start their relationships without knowing how to develop a strong emotional connection. If this has been a challenge in your relationships, you might be tempted to make big changes all at once, but that approach usually isn't effective or sustainable.
It's better to build an emotional connection gradually through small, consistent actions. Here are some practical ways to do this: share stories with each other, laugh together, enjoy shared activities, intentionally be bad at something together (like when you first got married!), communicate openly, and listen to each other with respect.
By practicing these habits daily, you'll strengthen the bond with your spouse, making it resilient against the challenges marriages often face.
APPLICATION: Talk with your spouse about what a daily opportunity to build a connection would look like. It doesn't have to be extravagant—just consistent and meaningful for both of you.
PRAYER: God, thank You for the gift of marriage. I ask that You would help us to develop intimacy in the way that You dreamed up when You imagined marriage. Give us the wisdom to love one another well. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?