The Power of Intimacy in Marriage- Pt 1
Dear Reader,
Welcome to another exciting month. It is with great joy and happiness I bring you God’s Word. I pray that your life will not remain the same after reading through these articles in Jesus’ name! This month, we will be exploring the topic, The Power of Intimacy in marriage.
What is intimacy? It is the closeness of your relationship with your spouse; it is an interpersonal relationship that involves emotional, spiritual, intellectual and sexual intimacy. Intimacy is not an end but a journey that lasts throughout your marriage. It can also mean a warm, close, confidential or private relationship that develops through long association, friendship and familiarity. It is important to note that marriage is a mystery of two people becoming one, and intimacy is the pillar of every successful marriage, with the responsibility of both parties involved. Therefore, when we talk about intimacy, the husband and wife should be more intimate and best of friends.
What are the Intimacy Needs Required of Couples?
- Spiritual Needs. As couples, to grow in your intimate relationship, your spiritual needs are of great paramount. The man and wife must look into their spiritual needs and help each other attain them. For example, if your husband likes waking up in the middle of the night to read or study, you can help by alerting him when it is time to wake up. You can encourage him to do some spiritual exercises needed and vice versa. Praying for your husband or wife fuels your love for one another, as this will bring you closer.
- Emotional Needs. Intimacy can only be developed in marriage when you understand your spouse’s emotional needs. When he/she is depressed, try to find out what is happening and encourage him/her. You must always care and be there for one another.
- Psychological Needs. As men have psychological needs, which are peculiar to them, women also do. Among others, while men’s psychological need is respect, the wife is affection, honesty, openness, etc. Therefore, identify the psychological needs of your spouse and engage them to strengthen the intimacy in your marriage.
- Physical Needs. For couples to grow intimately, they must meet their physical needs, such as sexual fulfilment, touching, hugging and holding. They also include non-verbal communication that lets you know you are being loved and cared for. The need for a rewarding sexual life is important and should be considered under physical needs
What are some benefits of Marriage?
- It brings about unity, thereby promoting God’s presence and blessings within the marriage (Psalm 133). Disagreement between husband and wife shuts the door to family dominion. The root of dominion is found in marriage; therefore, couples who know how to operate in agreement will enjoy dominion. It has been established that struggles and ultimate failure experienced in many families today are traceable to the lack of agreement in the homes.
- It brings about free flow of communication (Ephesians 4:29). The basis for a fruitful and lasting relationship in any family is effective communication, which is key to success in marriage. Therefore, in marriage, you have the opportunity to express your feelings, thoughts, joys, fears, challenges and plans to your spouse, but this can only materialise when you cultivate a good communication channel with God and your spouse.
- It makes marriage last a lifetime. A marriage founded on Christ will not fail even when hit by life’s billows. The relationship of the husband, wife and God (Who is the third person in the marriage) makes the attribute that makes marriage last to be transferred to the home. It makes marriage more enjoyable and sweet (Proverbs 31: 25; Isaiah 62: 5).
- It brings about greater spiritual strength than ever before (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12). In marriage, couples can press on to greater spiritual heights, especially when the spiritual strength of one of the partners is low, the other pulls him/her up. A man who does not care about the spiritual state of his wife is not helping her, and vice versa. The spiritual tempo of the home must not be low at any point.
Intimacy in Marriage was ordained by God to meet the physical, emotional and total needs of the husband and wife. Achieving this goal in marriage involves putting a lot of effort on the part of the husband and wife. It also requires commitment, and it takes the grace of God to bring two people into a place where they each leave, cleave and come into unity and intimacy as husband and wife. Willingness, openness and transparency are values that must be imbibed for intimacy in marriage to work. Nothing is hidden or restrained in a truly intimate relationship. There is no shame, fear or embarrassment in this level of love. Developing intimacy at all levels in every phase of a relationship takes time. Don’t be discouraged if it does not happen immediately; continue to believe God for His best.
The first step to take to enjoy intimacy in your marriage is to have an intimate relationship with your Creator. If you are not born again, please say this prayer of faith: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. From today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I am Born Again.
Congratulations! You are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace, in Jesus’ name! Please write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com OR 08141320204 and 07026385437.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Building a Successful Family, Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Success in Marriage (Co-Authored with Bishop David Oyedepo) and Covenant Pathways to Hitch-free Marriage.
