Hi, my name is Brooklyn. My husband, Trevor and I have been together for almost seven years. We have grown a lot throughout the many challenges we’ve faced. Loving each other through each of our personal storms has made us a stronger couple rooted in our faith and love for God. We recently decided to create a dynamic platform that strives to help people build stronger, Christ-centered relationships with others and with God. Each of our blogs, podcasts, and books share a glimpse into our relationship with each other as well as our relationship with God.
If you wish to learn more, follow, and/or support us in our efforts with ServantsChoice, click the link below.
A topic like LOVE seems like an easy thing to talk about, and initially, I assumed we could sum it up in one blog or one conversation style podcast. Needless to say, this is not the case. So, we have decided to break love down into a couple sub topics - starting with affection.
|What Is Affection|
Affection is a powerful way of showing care and love for others, and it goes beyond the clichéd images we often associate with it. It plays a significant role in our daily lives and relationships, extending far beyond mere emotions. From a Christian perspective, affection is not only a feeling but also an action that reflects God's love for us. Understanding this connection is crucial because it reminds us of our purpose to love one another as God loves us.
|Challenges of a Lack of Affection|
While we often focus on the positive effects of affection, it's important to recognize the negative consequences of a lack of affection or misdirecting our affections. In today's world, we face the challenge of being distracted by shallow emotional gratification, often derived from excessive use of technology. This phenomenon, which I refer to as "electrolove," can lead to a decline in recognizing ourselves as reflections of a loving God. It replaces genuine human interaction with digital experiences, limiting our ability to form deep connections and have meaningful conversations.
|Platonic Affection|
In order to foster affectionate relationships, it's crucial to understand what affection looks like in different types of relationships. Platonic relationships require navigating boundaries and finding meaningful ways to express love and care. The concept of love languages, as outlined in Gary Chapman's book "The 5 Love Languages," can provide valuable insights into how people prefer to receive love and affection. By understanding these preferences, we can show our loved ones that we care about them in ways that resonate with them.
Investing time in relationships is another challenge we face, especially in our busy lives. However, making quality time a priority is essential for building genuine connections. Small acts that demonstrate the value we place on someone's time can have a profound impact. For example, prioritizing spending time with someone over work or other distractions sends a powerful message of affection.
|Romantic Affection|
When it comes to romantic relationships, affection becomes even more essential for maintaining a strong and loving bond. It is not optional but necessary in order to make our partners feel valued and loved. Emotional and physical intimacy play a crucial role in romantic relationships, and affection serves as a vehicle for fulfilling those needs. It's important to note that physical intimacy in the context of dating couples refers to appropriate gestures like hand-holding, hugs, and kisses, but not sex.
One specific challenge faced by romantic partners is the desire for an exclusive bond and the need to ensure that neither partner feels the urge to seek that specific type of affection elsewhere. This commitment requires daily effort to prioritize affection and prevent feelings of neglect or unfulfillment. Divorce is often the result of a lack of understanding and effort in maintaining affectionate connections.
|Whole Point of Affection|
While there are many aspects to explore when it comes to the lack of affection in struggling relationships, it's crucial to remember that ultimate affection should be given to God. By prioritizing our relationship with God and seeking His guidance, we can cultivate a foundation of love that overflows into our interactions with others. Ultimately, affection is a powerful expression of love that should be cherished and nurtured in all our relationships. Without it, we wouldn't have a way of gaining emotional support, trust, bonding, non-judgmental support, conflict resolution, and the spark needed for creating passion.
Therefore, as Christians, we need to view affection as a necessary aspect of our faith. It's fundamental. God is love, and we are made in His image. So, we can't help but put love out into the world.
|Thank You|
Thank you for taking the time to read this quick excerpt on affection. If you would like to dive a little deeper and hear more about this topic, you can listen to our podcast episode on affection as well. To access this podcast, click the button below. It will take you to a link with all of our socials and podcast platforms.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian Love,
Brooklyn and Trevor
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