Marriage Discovery INT'L

08/08/2025

Mekpe Anyagi ( SHINE YOUR EYES)

Shine Your Eyes Before You Connect the Dot Called Engagement

By Jecil Onyirionwu Eziako

“If you commit without being sure, you are gambling with your future. Shine your eyes now, so your heart will not cry later.”

What is Meepe Anyagi?

In Igbo (a Nigerian language), Meepe Anyagi means “shine your eyes.” It’s a simple way of saying be alert, watch carefully, and don’t let excitement stop you from seeing the truth.

When it comes to relationships, this means: don’t rush into saying “Yes” to an engagement until you are sure of what you are getting into.

These days, many engagements look like movie scenes — beautiful sunset proposals, matching outfits, fancy photos, and social media applause.

But here’s the truth: engagement is not the final goal. It’s the testing time.

They say, “Love may be blind, but marriage will open your eyes.”
The sad thing is, many people only see the truth after they are already married — when it’s too late to change.

Think of engagement as connecting a dot in your life picture. But you should only connect that dot after you have checked the important “lines” — trust, respect, shared values, emotional maturity, and life compatibility.

If you skip that, you may connect the wrong dots and end up with an ugly picture.

Bible & Culture Speak the Same Wisdom

Proverbs 22:3 says:

“Wise people see danger ahead and avoid it, but foolish people keep going and suffer for it.”

In the past, African families did serious background checks before approving a relationship. They asked questions, looked for character, and paid attention to warning signs.

Today, many people rush into love based on feelings and forget to use wisdom — but the results of rushing are still the same.

Red Flags to Watch For

(These are signs you should not ignore.)

• They lie often

• They speak or act disrespectfully

• They refuse to talk about important life matters

• They get angry too easily

• Your values about faith, family, or money do not match

Five Ways to Shine Your Eyes Before Engagement

• Watch Them Under Pressure – Stress will show you who they really are.

• Talk About the Hard Topics – Money, faith, children, responsibilities.

• Ask Trusted People for Opinions – Friends, mentors, and family can see what you can’t.

• Find Out Their Background – This is not spying; it’s wise preparation.

• Pray for Guidance – God’s direction is better than excitement alone.

Truth to Remember:

“Engagement doesn’t remove a person’s flaws; it makes them more obvious.” — Gary Thomas

The Courage to Walk Away

Sometimes “shining your eyes” means deciding not to continue. If you notice signs of future trouble, stopping the engagement is not shame — it’s wisdom.

Like Nigerian elders say: “Better to break an engagement than to break a marriage.”

Engagement is a bridge between friendship and marriage — not a prison you can’t leave. This is the time to think carefully, not just to dream.

The decision you make will shape the life you live for many years. So before you connect the engagement dot, make sure your eyes are wide open.

06/08/2025

LET THE ONE WHO DESIGNED MARRIAGE BE THE ONE WHO DEFINES IT IN YOUR LIFE IF YOU WANT TO GET THE BEST OF IT"- Jecil Onyirionwu

01/08/2025

I declare to you August shall be your Month of New Season; New Beginnings, Open Doors, and Divine Help!”

August, hear the Word of the Lord!
You shall answer to everyone reading this by fire and favour.
I decree and declare that this month is your gateway to divine breakthroughs, supernatural help, and fulfilled promises.
As you have stepped into August you will walk through every door God has opened for you.

The heavens are opened over your life—no more delay, no more stagnation.
In Jesus name. Amen.
Happy new Month.

27/07/2025

Your true size is your true fit-don't settle for less or more "- Jecil Onyirionwu

27/07/2025

“When you choose a partner beyond your mental, spiritual, or emotional capacity, you’re not entering a relationship—you’re signing up for a lifetime of struggle.”- Jecil Onyirionwu

27/07/2025

SOMEONE HAS CHANGED HUSBANDS OR WIVES 4TIMES AND HE OR SHE IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP COUNSELOR AND ROLE MODEL. WHAT ROLE AND COUNSEL ARE YOU GETTING FROM SUCH PERSON"- Jecil Onyirionwu

25/07/2025

09/07/2025

PRAYER IS NOT ENOUGH: PUT THE PRINCIPLES TO PRACTICE

An Urgent Call to Christian Couples

By Jecil Onyirionwu Eziako

“Faith without works is dead.” – James 2:26

“You can pray all night for a good harvest, but if you don’t go out and plant, you’ll stay hungry.” – Rick Warren

Introduction

Christian couples often find themselves praying—sometimes fervently—for peace, for unity, for provision, for healing, for a better marriage. Yet, many still struggle with unresolved issues, prolonged tension, and cycles of pain. Why? Because while prayer is powerful, prayer is not a substitute for practice. Prayer opens the door to God’s help, but principles are what make marriage work.

It is not enough to pray for a good marriage; we must live the truths we pray about. Miracles do not cancel responsibility. A spiritually healthy marriage is not built in the prayer closet alone—it is sustained by consistent, godly action.

1. Prayer Doesn’t Replace Communication—Talk to Each Other

You can pray for “understanding” all day long, but if you don’t talk openly, listen patiently, and speak kindly, you are blocking the very answer to your own prayers.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.” — Colossians 4:6

Gary Chapman said, “In marriage, communication is the lifeline. Without it, marriage dies.”

2. Prayer Doesn’t Fix What You Refuse to Forgive

Many couples ask God to restore their love while harboring silent resentment. Forgiveness is not a feeling—it’s a choice backed by intentional actions. God can give grace, but you must release the offense.

“Forgive one another as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32

T.D. Jakes said, “You can’t be in a relationship and not have to forgive over and over again.”

3. Prayer Can’t Replace Responsibility—Play Your Part

A husband praying to be the head of the home must also lead with humility and love. A wife praying for a peaceful home must also build with wisdom and respect.

“The wise woman builds her house…” — Proverbs 14:1

“Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church…” — Ephesians 5:25

Dr. Myles Munroe said, “Prayer is not a substitute for planning, responsibility, or effort.”

4. Prayer Doesn’t Cancel the Need for Boundaries

Some problems in marriage aren’t demonic—they are due to poor boundaries, unchecked behavior, or lack of accountability. Praying against “attacks” won’t work if you keep allowing patterns that dishonor your home.

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” — Proverbs 25:28

Henry Cloud wrote, “Boundaries define us. They show what we are responsible for.”

5. Prayer Won’t Make You Love if You Don’t Practice Love

God is love—but love is not just what we feel, it’s what we do. Many couples pray for rekindled passion, but refuse to serve, give, or affirm each other daily. Love is not mystical—it’s practical.

“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18

C.S. Lewis said, “Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did.”

6. Prayer Works Best with Practice

Prayer is powerful when it becomes a launchpad for obedience. God honors prayer that is partnered with willingness to change, grow, and act. Miracles often come through movement.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22

Joyce Meyer said, “You can’t just pray and wait. You must pray and act.”

Conclusion: Faith and Works Go Together

Dear Christian couple, don’t just pray for peace—be peacemakers. Don’t just pray for unity—live united. Don’t just pray for love—show love. God will not do what He has given you the grace and ability to do.

As you pray, put your faith to work.
As you believe, put the principles to practice.

“Success in marriage is not automatic for those who pray more, but for those who practice more of what they pray for.”
– Jecil Onyirionwu Eziako

A Prayer for You

Father, give us the grace not only to pray, but to practice Your Word in our marriage. Help us to forgive, to love, to communicate, and to grow. Let our faith be alive through action, and let our marriage reflect Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

07/07/2025

RELATIONSHIP REALITIES

What You Don’t Know About the Couple You’re Envying

There’s a Lot of Sacrifice Behind the Smiles

By Jecil Onyirionwu Eziako

"Envy means admiring someone without knowing what they are going through."
— Unknown

You see a couple online or in real life—smiling, hugging, laughing—and you think, “I wish I had a relationship like that.”

But do you know what’s really going on behind that happy picture?

1. The Hidden Price Behind the Picture

You admire their love and fun pictures.
But you don’t see what it’s costing them.

What you see: Their happy moments.
What you don’t see: Their fights, disagreements, and how they choose peace over pride.

“Don’t compare your private struggles with someone else’s best moments.”
— Steven Furtick

2. The Sacrifices Nobody Talks About

That woman may have forgiven a painful mistake.
That man may have stayed with her through hard emotional times.
They didn’t quit, even when things were tough.

They gave up:

Their pride

Their personal time

Their money

And they prayed quietly when things were hard

“A strong marriage means two people choosing to love each other, even when they feel like giving up.”
— Dave Willis

3. Fighting Silent Battles Together

Some couples you admire are going through deep pain, even if they don’t show it.

They may have:

Lost a child

Been unable to have children

Gone through tough spiritual times

Fought poverty, sickness, or betrayal

Yet, every day they wake up and say: “Let’s keep trying.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

“Two are better than one… if one falls, the other can help them up.”

4. It Takes Effort, Not Just Love

Love may bring two people together, but it’s effort that keeps them going.

Strong couples work hard at:

Talking honestly

Controlling emotions

Setting limits with outsiders

Praying and growing spiritually

Forgiving each other often

“A good marriage is not made of perfect people. It’s made of people who learn to forgive and show grace.”
— Darlene Schacht

5. Don’t Just Wish—Be Ready to Work

If you want the kind of love they have, be ready to work for it.

It’s not about dressing like them or copying their Instagram posts.
It’s not magic. It’s hard work.

Instead of saying, “I want what they have,”
say, “Lord, help me become ready for the kind of love You want me to have.”

“Before you admire someone’s success, ask what pain and hard times they went through to get there.”

Build, Don’t Compare

Don’t just wish for a good relationship—learn, grow, and prepare yourself.

Strong couples are not lucky. They work hard, they sacrifice, and they don’t give up easily.

So, when next you admire a couple, remember:

Their love is not magic—it’s the result of daily effort.

Pray for them. Learn from them. Then build your own story—one full of patience, purpose, and God’s help.

For singles, those in love, and married people:
True love is not about being perfect.
It’s about being committed, caring, and consistent every day.