7 Comments to “The Love Dare–Day 26”

1. By Joanne, January 27, 2010 @ 11:07 am

   The hardest thing about taking responsibility for my wrongs is that I then must change. If I accept responsibility for my behavior and I am really sorry and ask forgiveness then I also must make every effort to stop doing that harmful behavior. If on the other hand, I claim that someone else is responsible for making me act the way that I do then it’s up to them to change. I’ve often thought and said “You made me …”, “It’s all because of you…”, “It’s all your fault…”
   Once I realized that I was the one responsible for my own emotions and reactions (for not loving and being angry) regardless of what someone else may have done to me, it caused me to be accountable and to change my behavior. Sometimes it’s very difficult taking responsibility for my thoughts, words, and actions; it’s much easier blaming someone else.
2. By brenda, January 27, 2010 @ 8:26 pm

   hello geeva and sulojana
   l have been keeping up along with the both of you. l must say this is still extremely difficult when you are going at it alone. completing these dares sometimes causes more problems with my husband as he doesnt know l am doing this and it bothers him to rehash things, or wonders why l am bringing up sensitive issues. l shared this with you both in the beginning, hoping it would get easier. watching you both spurs me on and l strive to finish so God will know how desparately hard l am trying. however it hurts so much when you are not responded to as you hope and again you are the only one fighting for your marriage. a person needs to see some hope dont they? Its not about my faith because l have lots its about feeling treasured by the one you chose to spend your life with. in the beginning it was wonderful but not now. l will finish this love dare and then start it again as l am in this marriage till death do us part. but its hard not seeing any progress between the two of us. l thank God to be able to watch you and feel inspired and have hope. thankyou, brenda
3. By lyn, January 28, 2010 @ 1:15 am

   Hey Brenda, way to go on keeping up with all these things — I also am doing this alone — I have chickend out on some of the ones that we are supposed to discuss with your spouce — I have been afraid that saying some of this would make tension. Tonight I was hoping to tackle the forgiveness one with him. BUt he is watching a movie with his nephew — he will be to tired to talk.
   I hope i have the courage to go back and do all the dares that have required discussion with him.
   May God strengthen us even even more as we learn to let CHrist be our everything so I don’t need so much from my spouse.
4. By Joanne, January 28, 2010 @ 10:22 am

   Hi Brenda,
   I am also doing this alone and have found it difficult to do the dares where we must discuss serious issues with our spouse. Men generally do not react positively to their wives sitting down and wanting a serious discussion with them; it’s something they’re afraid of. With most of those dares I’ve just had to look into our marriage from my perspective and apply what I could. Once I have finished the book I will let him know what I’ve been doing. Hopefully by then he will have noticed an improvement in our relationship and will see the benefits of doing some of these dares.
   Sometimes I am glad he is not doing the dare with me because it causes me to take responsibility for my actions whether he’s supportive or not. As a Christian I want to do what’s right regardless of the circumstances or influences around me. We do all that we can but only God can change a heart and that’s why prayer is so important.
5. By lyn, January 29, 2010 @ 7:57 pm

   I cought up on a few of those communicating ones with my husband yesterday — I can’t believe how well it went. He really listened and asked for clarification and even made some promises. Thanks for praying
6. By Jeeva and Sulojana, January 30, 2010 @ 12:44 am

   Hi Brenda!

   Thank you for your kind words re. the encouragement you receive from watching us as well as your honesty re. the discouragement you’re experiencing. We trust you’ve been blessed by the responses from Lyn & Joanne, who can empathize with your predicament better than we can!

   We want to thank you for making us more sensitive to those who are doing the Dare without your spouse. Posts such as yours have created in us a greater passion to pray even more fervently for a breakthrough for all y’all. In the meantime, we just want you to know that you are not alone…God is with you, we’re with you and as Tony Compolo says: It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming!

   We declare in Jesus’ name that the breakthrough for which you’re craving will be yours by Easter!
7. By Jeeva and Sulojana, January 30, 2010 @ 12:47 am

   Hi Lyn!

   Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with your husband. It encourages us immensely, gives hope to others, and proves once again that prayers are answered…praise God!