PREPARATION FOR A BLISSFUL HOME ~ Precious Victor Akah

Let’s begin by defining a blissful home: a blissful home is a happy, joyful, and peaceful environment that stands the test of time, meaning it is strong and resilient enough to endure over the years.

You might believe that happiness is simply a worldly concern and that joy is all you need as a Christian. However, in marriage, you'll come to realize the importance of happiness. Happiness is often seen as dependent on your surroundings; when events are positive, you feel happy, but when circumstances turn negative, unhappiness follows.

This illustrates that both happiness and joy are essential. Joy helps you remain calm and composed during trials, while happiness brings laughter, pleasure, and excitement stemming from positive events and experiences. Together, they enhance your enjoyment of marriage.

PREPARATION FOR A BLISSFUL HOME 

How you prepare for something significantly impacts your performance in that area. If you prepare diligently, you are likely to perform well. Conversely, a lack of preparation can lead to poor outcomes. Consider the story of the ten virgins waiting to meet the Lord: five were well-prepared, while five were not, and we saw the end. (See Matthew 25:1–13)

In this context, we are preparing for a blissful home. Every home is built, whether it’s a marital home or a physical structure. You are the architect of your own home.

Let’s draw an analogy with constructing a physical house. When building a quality home, three key elements are crucial:

1. Mental Picture/Vision: The first step is to have a clear mental image of the type of house you wish to build. This vision is what you will share with an architect to design your dream home. Additionally, your belief in the feasibility of building that house plays a significant role in the selection process. You choose a house you believe can be really constructed and that you yourself can confidently build.

2. Builder: Next, you need to find someone who can help you construct the house you've envisioned, whether that’s a contractor or a real estate agent. You must convey your ideas and specifications to them so they can bring your vision to life.

3. Foundation: Finally, the foundation is essential for the strength and longevity of the house. The quality of the builder you choose will directly affect the integrity of the foundation. In places like Lagos, Nigeria, there have been numerous stories of houses collapsing due to faulty foundations. So the builder determines the strength of the foundation of the building.

Now, let’s consider two scriptures before we proceed:

Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV)

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Psalm 11:3 (Amplified Bible)

“If the foundations of a godly society (home) are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

These scriptures highlight the importance of a solid foundation for any building.

From the analogy of house construction, when preparing for a blissful home, three factors are vital:

1. Mental Image/Picture/Vision

2. Builder

3. Foundation

Let’s start with the first element: Mental Image

What kind of marriage are you preparing to build? A blissful marriage? Do you genuinely believe that such a marriage can be built in today’s world and that you have the ability to build it? Also, consider the mental image you hold about marriage. Do you envision a union free from conflict, or do you expect constant quarrels and disagreements between you and your spouse because popular opinion says it's normal or expected? Many might say that no marriage is without conflict, implying it’s impossible for two individuals to coexist without disputes. If that’s the image you hold, you may indeed find it to be your reality. So you need to discard such image right now if you don't want to experience such in your marriage.

It’s crucial to understand that while you may aspire to a harmonious marriage, challenges may arise in the few months of your marriage. Satan often targets godly unions, fearing their potential success. However, if you remain steadfast in your vision of a blissful and peaceful home as a couple, you will manifest that ideal.

What you visualize shapes your experiences. The mental image you maintain influences what you attract and ultimately defines what you build. Your perspective (what you see) also determines what blessings come your way. As Genesis 13:14 teaches us: “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and LOOK from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou SEEST, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.”

It’s essential to maintain a positive image of marriage, as that is what God will provide you. Ephesians 3:20 (AMP) reinforces this: “Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do super abundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.” Here, “what you think” refers to the images you hold, your dreams, hopes, and aspirations—God will bring these to fruition.

Cultivate a vision of a blissful marriage. Envision the joyful home you desire, believe in its possibility in our present world, and affirm that you can build it. Constantly confess this vision to see it materialize.

Moreover, this formation of mental images explains why two believers may marry, yet one experiences joy while the other faces turmoil. Your mindset shapes your thoughts, and your thoughts shape your reality. In other words, what you have in mind is what you're thinking, and what you're thinking is what will manifest. Maintain a positive perspective on marriage.

We’ll explore the second element in our next discussion. Stay tuned!