COUNTING THE COST OF A RELATIONSHIP


 Rev Michael Benson Ajayi

". After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. 

'Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them. 

 As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, .." Luke 4:48-40

   With every emotional relationship comes responsibilities and it is in the fulfilment of these responsibilities that bonds are strengthened or broken depending on the  manner of approach. 

      It is important to know your purpose or mission on earth as earlier as possible , this could be obtained from discussions with parents or guardians. The purpose or mission of a child is usually revealed to the parents before birth or during the dedication of the child to the Lord. 

     There are also occasions where a persons' life purpose is revealed during the spiritual call and through a mature Christian . This was the case with Jeremiah ( Jer 1:4-5) . Your purpose should determine who your life partner should be.  It is difficult to be in a long-term relationship with someone whose assignment requires remaining in one spot for long when yours requires travelling very often. This could adversely affect your intimacy . Intimacy requires physical presence and it has no substitute. The bible says " Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. "1 Corinthians 7:5. .

   There are three major demands for a relationship 1) Spiritual demands : this requires all that needs to be done through the ministry of the Word of God and Prayers to promote righteousness (fidelity) , peace and joy in the Holy Spirit in the relationship. This involves fasting together , sharing scriptures together. , giving offerings and Abrahamic tithes together , fellowship together. . This was demonstrated in the healing of Apostle Peter's mother in-law . Your spiritual duties extends to the extended family.

2) Physical Demands : This has to do with physical provisions . It takes an average of N1000 to feed an adult city-dweller in southern Nigeria per day excluding toiletries, phone bills ,clothes , entertainment etc. Two to three adults will require about N50,000 monthly for upkeep ( this may vary in some areas it is more in some cases ) this translates to about N600,000 a year excluding rents (2021 estimates)   You should have an idea of the financial implications of the relationship before engagement and bringing in children and others to avoid poverty and marital failure .

 3 ) Emotional demands; This is simply defined as quality time for one's partner and family. During such times you learn to listen and talk with not talk to . 

   Its at that time we learn to hear the voice of the emotions our partners when they are not speaking and we become more empathetic while asking the lord to help us meet their emotional needs.

Prayer : Heavenly father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to love the difficult- to- love persons. Amen

+2348035536911, +2348099536911 e-mail michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com



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