10 Emotional Needs in Marriage

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

2. SEXUAL FULFILLMENT (1 Corinthians 7:4)
Sex is most often associated as a need for men. Today however, more women are reporting a similarly strong need for sex. A partner can feel cheated in a marriage because they don’t get enough sex. For a partner with a strong need for sex, it is nearly as important as the air they breathe. Without sex, one can feel unloved. When feeling unloved a partner can do very bad things.

Men often do not understand the relationship between affection and sex. They want sex, but forget about giving affection first. Sex and affection are highly inter-related.
When a man gives ample affection to his wife, she is far more likely to be in the mood for sex.

If you have sexual fantasies, (but be careful of unhealthy sexual fantasies), that is a good indicator, that sex is high on your list of emotional needs.

Women can also have a very high sex needs. Sometimes, it is the woman who is the sexual aggressor in a marriage. That is okay.

When sex is a high emotional need, it is beneficial for both partners to educate themselves in the art of sex. Boring sex is a drag. It can take all the fun of sex out of it. If either partner isn’t into it, the other partner will know. If a woman likes to get a rose now and then, she wouldn’t like him to throw it on the table and say, “Here’s your damn flower. ” Likewise, if he/she just goes through the motions, the more sexually aggressive partner will sense it and not receive the love they could have received from sex.

If a man wants more sex, he has to give his wife more affection, all the time. He can have fun with this. He can be creative in when and how he gives affection, and she can get creative in the bedroom, or whatever. When the wife wants more sex but is turned away by the husband, she needs to get creative in finding out what is causing his sexual shyness.

A man thrives on making his wife happy. Likewise, when a woman has a strong need for sex, she also wants to make her man happy. Full participation in lovemaking is essential.

ACTION ASSIGNMENT
This week both the partners take time out, if you have dissatisfaction in this area of Sex and Affection, to openly share your needs with your spouse. Neglecting this need in marriage is a breeding ground for the evil one to bring unfaithfulness into the marital relationship. So, be on guard! Take it seriously! No one is immune to this sin.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to seriously work in this area of negligence, if there is a need, and guard and protect our intimacy and romance in our marriage. Neglect in this area will not tempt us to look for greener pastures elsewhere. Put your hedge around our bonding! In Jesus’ name, amen.