I'm on a journey. A journey to fall more in love with my husband. I can't share a lot about this because it's actually an anniversary surprise for my husband next month. (**That's all you're getting out of me!) But I really wanted to share something today that struck me hard in my devotion.
Our marriage is a testimony. A happy and God-centered marriage is powerful! It's two people working together to accomplish more in Christ. With it we can encourage other couples, raise Godly families, be a testimony of Christ's love, and more. Satan really wants to break up our marriage. All marriages to be exact, but I'm just speaking about mine right now.
In the past months Nathan and I have had some real ups and downs. The core of our marriage is strong and we've always had a great relationship. But we've been disagreeing more and just struggling in some areas worst than before. (Please don't misunderstand we aren't getting a divorce, but if you're married you understand, it isn't always going to be great. But it can get better and better and a few weeks ago we started making some changes toward that. Anyways...)
When I was reading today about Satan wanting to break up our marriage and how he does that it struck me hard. I was able to sit back and see these past bad arguements and realize the deeper things that were taking place. If our hearts aren't guarded we can act out in pride, impaitence, strife, etc. and equally if the other spouse doesn't realize this the enemy's attacks he/she will react instead of pray. PRAY? Can you imagine if your spouse did something that really upset you and instead of reacting you prayed for them? I don't know about you but that is NOT my first reaction. I come from a house of reactors! If it is something that hurts me I am defensive and attack back, if I feel like Nathan is being too hard or impatient with the children it angers me and I do the same. How many arguments would I save if instead of getting mad at him and speaking my mind right then, that I decided to pray for him? A lot I'm sure! What if instead of attacking Nathan I began to attack Satan and encourage Nathan in love? Sometimes I feel like in those moments I have to stand up for myself if I want change or maybe to not be walked on if he is being disrespectful. What I realized today was that instead of feeling defeated in those times, I can be empowered! Prayer is the most powerful tool we have.
This is my new "plan of attack". I don't pray for Nathan enough. I do every now and then, but not nearly as much as I should. I need to be praying many things over him but also if there are areas I want him to change, instead of attacking him for those, I can pray about it.
**Forgive me baby for attacking you instead of praying!
Thank you so much for sharing this. Satan is always trying to kill, steal, and destroy.....especially our marriages. Jeremy and I work hard at protecting our marriage and friendship. You are so on the right track and your marriage will be better because of it. Can't wait to hear what you do for your anniversary if you are able to share about it.
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