Ouch. That stings!
I don't know where I first heard this question ... or if it sprang into living color in my own imagination. All I can say is that it keeps on hitting home for me {big time} whenever I'm courageous enough to honestly gaze into my own mirror and allow God to gently poke and prod so that He can reveal the true state of my heart to my oft' deceived mind.
How do I respond to daily frustrations, disappointments, and hurts as I do life in the company of my spouse?
These straight-shooting queries pack a punch that most of us are reluctant to navigate. It's not easy to be ready, willing, or able to handle the raw truth of who we are without His Spirit's flowing stream of grace. And these kind of encounters with God give us great cause for pause. It's Psalm 139:23- 24 in bold action -
Me. Not my spouse.
The Holy Spirit will clearly convict us of specific sins and guide us into all truth so that we can choose fresh responses to life's trials, attitudes and behaviors that are healthy, wise, godly. And our faith gets stretched as we entrust Him to do the same work in our spouse's heart, freeing us up from serving as judge and jury ... or resident nag.
Please note that God does not heap guilt and shame on us that leave us immobilized, make us feel like losers, or trap us in discouragement.
If that's a snare for you, be sure to click here to read about the tragedy of guilt and shame, ok?
Here's three more Scriptural tools that can serve well as a spot-on relationship barometer. As ever, God's Word is powerful, with plenty enough spotlight to shine needed truth into our hearts.
'Linda is patient, Linda is kind. Linda does not envy, Linda does not boast, Linda is not proud. Linda is not rude, Linda is not self-seeking, Linda is not easily angered, Linda keeps no record of wrongs. Linda does not delight in evil but always rejoices with the truth. Linda always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.'
Ohh, that hurts. Ouch. Again.
Convicted I am.
Question to ask ourselves ~ When my spouse reads 1 Corinthians 13, do I joyfully come to mind?
Question to ask ourselves ~ When my spouse thinks of me, do these descriptions of fruitful character ring true?
Question to ask ourselves ~ Do I faithfully endeavor to live out these commands in my marriage ... or do I just consider them as pleasant but optional suggestions?
What 'iron sharpening iron' dialogue is emerging in this series! You guys are vulnerable, yet brimming over with wisdom ... and good humor! Remember that every comment you leave on one of the Marriage Mini-Series posts puts you in the running for a $40 Amazon gift card!
And thanks for sharing our gathering with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. It's not too late to invite them to join the party ... the links are below.
I don't know where I first heard this question ... or if it sprang into living color in my own imagination. All I can say is that it keeps on hitting home for me {big time} whenever I'm courageous enough to honestly gaze into my own mirror and allow God to gently poke and prod so that He can reveal the true state of my heart to my oft' deceived mind.
How do I respond to daily frustrations, disappointments, and hurts as I do life in the company of my spouse?
These straight-shooting queries pack a punch that most of us are reluctant to navigate. It's not easy to be ready, willing, or able to handle the raw truth of who we are without His Spirit's flowing stream of grace. And these kind of encounters with God give us great cause for pause. It's Psalm 139:23- 24 in bold action -
'Search me oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.'
Me. Not my spouse.
The Holy Spirit will clearly convict us of specific sins and guide us into all truth so that we can choose fresh responses to life's trials, attitudes and behaviors that are healthy, wise, godly. And our faith gets stretched as we entrust Him to do the same work in our spouse's heart, freeing us up from serving as judge and jury ... or resident nag.
Please note that God does not heap guilt and shame on us that leave us immobilized, make us feel like losers, or trap us in discouragement.
If that's a snare for you, be sure to click here to read about the tragedy of guilt and shame, ok?
Here's three more Scriptural tools that can serve well as a spot-on relationship barometer. As ever, God's Word is powerful, with plenty enough spotlight to shine needed truth into our hearts.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The Love Chapter
As you read through this chapter, simply put your name in every place where the word LOVE {or it} appears. For example ...The Love Chapter
'Linda is patient, Linda is kind. Linda does not envy, Linda does not boast, Linda is not proud. Linda is not rude, Linda is not self-seeking, Linda is not easily angered, Linda keeps no record of wrongs. Linda does not delight in evil but always rejoices with the truth. Linda always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.'
Ohh, that hurts. Ouch. Again.
Convicted I am.
Question to ask ourselves ~ When my spouse reads 1 Corinthians 13, do I joyfully come to mind?
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Galatians 5:22-23
The Fruit of the Spirit
'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.'The Fruit of the Spirit
Question to ask ourselves ~ When my spouse thinks of me, do these descriptions of fruitful character ring true?
*
New Testament
The One Another Passages
The One Another Passages
There are about 59 of these relational verses in the New Testament. Like ...
love one another
serve one another
accept one another
strengthen one another
be devoted to one another
encourage one another
submit to one another
confess to one another
forgive one another
spur one another on
Question to ask ourselves ~ Do I faithfully endeavor to live out these commands in my marriage ... or do I just consider them as pleasant but optional suggestions?
What 'iron sharpening iron' dialogue is emerging in this series! You guys are vulnerable, yet brimming over with wisdom ... and good humor! Remember that every comment you leave on one of the Marriage Mini-Series posts puts you in the running for a $40 Amazon gift card!
And thanks for sharing our gathering with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. It's not too late to invite them to join the party ... the links are below.
*
connecting with
