SG ACTIVITY: SMILE

Here is another Small Group activity we did at the Couples Small Group.  Of course it can be customized for other Small Groups.

Procedure

Have the couples look at each other.  And then ask each one to tell an angry story while smiling.

Chances are, they tend to giggle while telling the story.

Take Away

Do you know why they giggle?  It's because the brain can't register the story as an angry one anymore.  With the smile on our face, we're expected to tell a fun, exciting, or happy story right?  That's why it is hard to do; thus, they giggle.

So, what is the moral of the story?

Our society is teaching us "you get what you deserve."  This has caused us to love and respect with a condition -- when we feel like it and/or the spouse has respected or love us back.

However, the Bible teaches us differently - that wives need unconditional love from their husband as much as the husbands need unconditional respect from their wife.  So the Bible teaches us to love and respect in spite of.  It's not about what our spouse deserves.  It's about what our spouse needs.

Now, the challenge is, we are not naturally wired to loving or respecting unconditionally (y'all agree with me or it's just me who has this issue?).  From this activity, we learn that even though we feel angry on the inside, we can choose to display the emotion differently.  The best way to desensitize ourself to a word is to use it.  And the best way to desensitize ourself to an action is to do it.  For example, if you're afraid of the height, climb the mountain.  If you're afraid of the sharks, swim in the ocean.  If you don't feel like exercising because you catch cold, exercise.  If you feel down and don't feel like meeting people, go to a Small Group!!!  Do you agree?

The same concept applies to marriages.  When we don't feel like loving or respecting our spouse, that is actually the best opportunity to do the otherwise -- which is to love and respect her/him.

Marcel and I are practicing this now in our marriage and daily activities.  If you struggle like us and would like Marcel and I to support you in prayer, please feel free to email or call us.

May this be a blessing to you!