Dedicated to my true love, Perry Ford, who I met only six weeks before writing this story. I knew that he was a gift from God for me only eight days after our first date! ~Steph
Do opposites really attract? With a magnet, for instance, is it really the opposite that it attracts to itself? Opposite means different, conflicting, antithetical, contrary, or polar. Even IF opposites attracted to one another, a relationship like that would be more like riding the bumper cars at the fair or participating in a debate meet. Frought with polarization and competition, this type of relationship is unlikely to survive the marathon of life.
No, no… that common saying about opposites attracting is a twist of the Enemy about God’s intent for human connection and relationships. By twisting the truth and the intent in our minds and hearts, our internal beliefs can get so messed up that people of this world are left in confusion, chaos, and despair.
God didn’t intend for opposites to attract, but rather complements to attract. To complement is, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to complete or enhance by providing something additional. God created Man and Woman, equal in his eyes, but complimentary in their strengths and weaknesses. Together, Adam and Eve were created for one another, and God said it was good.
GOD said, not MAN said, that… IT WAS GOOD. Why is it then that people insist on sharing their concerns and projecting their fears about another person’s relationship with someone? Why is it that the opinion of another human is what we tend to seek rather than the desire of our Creator?
I believe that fear is at the root of many of the world’s problems, and this extends to relationships. Because we fear that our family will reject us if we walk away from someone that they accept and love, we stay in a relationship that is toxic behind closed doors. We fear the thought of losing friends and family if we choose to divorce our spouse even when there has been adultery or abuse. We fear that no one will ever love us because we have been rejected and discarded our whole lives, which we think means we have no value, rather than listening to who Jesus says we are.
We may fear others that are of a different race, different culture, different faith background, different age, different economic status, or different way of looking at the world. As believers of Jesus, though, these people that the Enemy wants you to fear and meet with skepticism, Christ says that we are to view as our brothers and sisters, and then love them as ourselves. Within the Kingdom of God, we are each complements to one another, bringing completeness to his grand design of mankind.
Completeness. Wholeness. Complimentary. Love. Forgiveness. Compassion. Understanding. Relationship.
As God designed us, I believe that God didn’t intend for us to believe that opposites attract, that was a twist on words crafted by the Enemy. God has much greater plans for each of us, and his way to guide our paths and hearts leads to joy and peace.
Are you single? Don’t get ahead of God when you’re looking for your forever partner. Let him lead. Don’t let your human desires lead, don’t seek man’s advice over God’s, and don’t let fear of being alone or discarded entrap you in a subpar relationship.
Are you married? Do everything you can to ground your relationship in God’s Word, because Satan wants nothing more than to destroy what God has designed for our betterment. Do all you can to restore completeness with forgiveness, grace and love.
Are you in an abusive marriage? Know that God sees you, God values you, and he wants the best for you. He never intended for his son or his daughter to feel trapped in a relationship that is killing their spirit, and his heart breaks for the pain you are experiencing. Seek his protection, dive into scripture, pray, talk with Jesus, and he will show you what he wants for you. Listen to God over everyone else, including the Enemy whispering lies in your ear, your friends and family, and your church leadership. Let Christ be your guide because he will never let you down, and he will never abandon you.
When you give your heart, spirit and mind over to God, your will becomes his will, and your desires become his desires. Develop a deep knowledge of and love for God the Father through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ before seeking God’s will for your life partner. Time will not be lost when his hand is upon a complimentary relationship between his beloved son and his precious daughter.
We all have a story. Share yours so that others may learn from your pain and walk a better path. Get your story published online for all to see, at no cost to you, by emailing me at steph@identityfromjesus.com. Your story is your testimony to guide others and give them hope!
(Originally Published on Medium.com by Steph on April 10, 2023.)