7 Misconceptions Of Intimacy In Marriage
Many people erroneously believe that intimacy strips you of your liberty, handing it over to your spouse on a platter of gold. This inhibits intimacy as everyone is constantly looking out to protect their interests.
Here are a few misconceptions:
1. “Intimacy is Sex”. Many people interpret ‘getting intimate’ as having sex. The truth is, sex is not intimacy and intimacy is not sex. However, intimacy will encourage sex in marriage.
2. Bondage. Intimacy is not loss of liberty, it is not bondage. It is liberty through bonding. Intimacy is not a shackle; it is a miracle. It is not meant to punish you; it is meant to furnish you with love.
3. Loss of personal identity. Intimacy does not mean you are no more yourself, it doesn’t bury your identity; it only means your identity is sharpened through the power of two.
4. Domination. It is not for husbands to dominate their wives. No! In an intimate marriage, nobody is a master.
5. God’s Making. God is not responsible for the building of intimacy in your marriage. The couples have to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Don’t just pray and expect intimacy. Intimacy is not something you just pray for; it is something you work for. It is something you labour to get.
6. It is not a 24/7 Relationship. Intimacy does not mean you must be together 24/7. It is not about ‘shadowing’, it is about connecting. You can go about your daily business and still maintain intimacy.
7. It is not a “Me Only” Relationship. Intimacy is not a license to suffocate your spouse, thereby ensuring he or she does not talk to other people. Your spouse may have friends but intimacy only means you are closer to him or her than any other person.
