‘For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. ‘ Ephesians 5:22-27(NLT)
‘For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.’ Ephesians 6:12(NLT)
‘But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.’ Isaiah 40:31(NLT)
During several years in marriage ministry, we have met people who believe their spouse has major issues (baggage) from their past. We all have quirks from our past. Yet, many have concluded that the only solution they have for a happy life is divorce.
Divorce is almost never God’s choice, but the choice of a husband and/ or wife who has been deeply hurt by their family, who have unrealistic expectations, or who have lost all hope for a breakthrough.
In our early years, our past hurts caused us to spew anger and hurt onto each other. We struggled because we were not serving each other.
God’s Plan for Marriage
Every marriage should mimic the relationship Jesus displays with His church (us). God redeems us through His Son Jesus. He promises to restore His priceless children and He longs for a personal relationship with us.
God is for us. He is not our enemy. Our spouse and other people are not our enemy.
Beautiful marriages occur when each spouse displays redemptive behavior toward each other.
How do we display redemptive behavior? Here are three examples:
- When I learned that Paige had been criticized for years that she was ugly, I began to speak encouragement to her and continually affirm how beautiful she is to me.
- When Paige learned that I had been bullied as a child, she began and continues to affirm the strengths she sees in me.
- As we focused on each other’s strengths, we replaced acts of anger and frustration with acts of kindness towards each other.
The Holy Spirit wants our words and actions to help undo hurts, redeem and restore our spouse and children. Even if your spouse is not willing to change, changes in one can shift the family intimacy.
Suggestion:
Instead of focusing on the flaws in your spouse, see the strengths they bring to your weaknesses.
Express to your spouse the strengths you see in them. Leave notes, cards or verbally tell them.
Pray with and for each other daily.
Our Prayer for you:
Holy Spirit thank You for Your presence and wisdom in the hearts of each family member. Thank You for the redemption, restoration, and heavenly blessings You bring them. Impart Your character of compassion and kindness into their hearts, in Jesus’ Mighty Name!
Copyright 2019 Moe and Paige Becnel @ Blending A Family Ministry
from Blending A Family