June 22
Rekindling Love Through
God's Design
"A husband should satisfy his wife’s needs. And a wife should satisfy her husband’s needs. A wife’s body does not belong only to her. It also belongs to her husband. In the same way, a husband’s body does not belong only to him. It also belongs to his wife. Do not refuse to meet each other’s needs. If you do, you might agree to go without sex for a while so you can spend your time praying. Then come together again. Satan might tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
1 Corinthians 7:3-5 (NIrV)
Tim stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror as frustration rolled over him. He had spent the evening doing dishes and helping their two young kids finish homework while Veronica sat on the couch, scrolling through her phone. They barely exchanged words all night, let alone any meaningful connection.
Their bedroom, once a place of intimacy and warmth, had become more like a roommate’s quarters. Veronica always had a reason to turn away when he reached for her—“I’m tired,” or “I have a headache.” Tim felt rejected and angry, but deeper down, he felt unseen.
He loved Veronica deeply, but the walls between them felt insurmountable. Was it selfish to want her to want him back?
Veronica, for her part, was drowning in exhaustion she couldn’t put into words. Between work, managing the household, and the demands of their kids, her physical and emotional energy had long run dry. Though she saw Tim’s frustration and his need for closeness, guilt consumed her every time she thought about giving more of herself. What about her needs?
That night, after another cold exchange, Tim prayed—a rare act for him these days. “God,” he whispered, staring up at the ceiling, “I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m so frustrated and hurt, but I don’t want to stop loving Veronica. Please, show me what I’m missing here. Help me lead with love, even when it’s hard.”
A few days later, Veronica came across a devotional on marriage while waiting for her daughter’s dance class to finish. The passage she read brought up 1 Corinthians 7:3-5. It felt like a mirror. Tears welled up as she realized how much she had withdrawn from her husband—not just physically, but emotionally.
When she got home, she hesitated for a moment before walking up to Tim, who was fixing a broken chair in the garage. “Can we talk?” she asked softly.
The conversation was raw and vulnerable. Tim shared how rejected he had felt, and Veronica admitted how overwhelmed and disconnected she had become. For the first time in months, they prayed together, asking God to help them prioritize their marriage, to balance their needs, and to give them both strength to rebuild intimacy.
The change didn’t happen overnight, but it started small—a hug that lingered a little longer, a date night that they prioritized despite their busy schedules, and honest communication about their feelings. Slowly, Veronica began to see how meeting Tim’s need for connection didn’t diminish her—it strengthened them both. And Tim started to understand that love meant patience and service, even in the waiting.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the gift of marriage and the design You’ve given us to love and serve one another.
Help us to honor each other’s needs, even when it feels challenging.
Like Tim and Veronica, teach us to listen, to be patient, and to seek Your guidance in restoring connection and intimacy.
Give us humility to ask for forgiveness when we fall short and courage to grow together as You intended.
Thank You for being the foundation we can always rely on.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
