Blinded by Darkness

We’ve covered some ground in the last few weeks about spiritual warfare in our marriages. Sadly, it’s a topic treated as taboo at times right within the church, but our enemy has been effective there as well.

Too effective.

If he can convince us he’s not a real threat or even better, that he doesn’t even exist, he’s accomplished more than just a foot in the door. We're blinded.

If this concept is foreign to you, let me tell you that for a long time I was deceived myself. I can even remember telling someone years ago that though I did believe in God, I wasn’t convinced satan existed.

God’s Word tells us clearly otherwise and much more. Things like:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (sound mind). — 1 Timothy 2:7

As evident in the Bible, this stuff is real and pretending it doesn’t or avoiding it only sets us up for failure. We don’t have to be fanatical about spiritual warfare, but we do need to be aware. I know you’ve heard Lynn and I say this before, but knowing the Bible is your best defense. You can’t fight with a weapon you don’t know how to use. Same goes with the Bible. To know it is to live and use its truth effectively.

And if the whole idea of spiritual warfare scares you more than you fear God, take a look at this one:

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. — 1John 4:4

These two verses are so interconnected. First John 4:4 is our reassurance that we can overcome evil and 1 Timothy 2:7 is the proof of it.

Plant these truths firmly in your heart and mind. We need them so that we can stand strong for our unbelieving spouses. Second Corinthians 4:4 is a vital truth to understanding our unbelieving spouse and realizing they are truly handicapped as if they were physically blind.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. — 2Corinthians 4:4

But we can pray against this and stand in that gap between them and God. Just like it says in this verse:

For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. — 1 Corinthians 7:14

Just living our faith and rejoicing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ makes us the best conduit for His light to shine into that blinding darkness. And we can pray:

“And Elisha prayed, ‘O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.’” — 2Kings 6:17

In this truth we can praise God for what He’s doing and celebrate!

Praying and believing,
Dineen

A Little Different

Hi Everyone,

I don't have anything to write about today. 

Almost all of the time, God places a burning heat in my brain and heart about the words I share with you. He usually works on an idea by placing it in my soul to marinate for a few day. After several days of praying over the thoughts coupled with the Holy Spirit working me over, I'm about to explode.

You get the idea.

I write to share what I have learned and what God is currently teaching me.

Well, this Sunday evening as I'm preparing for Monday's post, I am feeling serene. 

But, I have several things a bubbling that the Holy Spirit it working out and you will likely heart about later in the week.

One topic for sure.... The Rapture.... It happened at our house. Well, kinda sorta. I will tell you more later and it's a fun story.

For today, I offer you a chance to ask questions. I find sometimes it's difficult to cover subject matter completely in our post and I don't always answer all of your questions. So, if you have a question, leave it in the comments. Questions for me (Lynn) and for Dineen.

Ask us about our marriage. How we overcame our faith differences. What is it like to raise kids in an mismatched marriage. What do we eat for breakfast. What is Peanut doing when I'm writing. *grin*

Okay, ask away. I love you. YOU are the passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Therefore, YOU are my passion and I care deeply and eternally for your heart, your family, and your marriage. Love and hugs, Lynn

Weekend Devo — The Key to Being Content

This is a post I wrote in Spring of 2008 and a topic worth revisiting. Blessings!

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you notice a common theme? The subject of a devotional, an email that comes over your favorite prayer loop, Sunday’s sermon, this weeks subject at your small group Bible study…

Those are the times I pay close attention, because I know God has something teach or show me. This has happened over the last week and the subject has been about contentment. Paul touches on this subject very clearly in Philippians 4:11-13:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

At first glance, it’s easy to assign material needs to these verses, and you would be correct. But Paul addresses a deeper level in the latter part of verse 12—“being content in any and every situation.”

On daily basis, we struggle with this issue in our unequally yoked marriages. How do we find contentment in the midst of conflict? How do we reach the point of saying like Paul did, “I am content in my situation?”

First, there’s one fallacy in the questions I posed above. If you’ll notice my emphasis is on “we.” Yet if you look at verse 13, Paul gives us the answer to those “how” questions.

We are not capable of finding this contentment alone. Paul gives all the credit to Jesus, totally and completely. He recognized his own limitations and believed completely in Christ to make up for what he lacked. And more.

But the true, underlying theme here goes even deeper than contentment and is true in any situation, no matter what it may be. And I can say this with certainty. Keeping our eyes on God is the key—to contentment, to peace, to hope, to perseverance.

He’s our one and only answer to everything we need. And more.

Praying and believing,
Dineen

A Roly-Poly and a Great Big God!

Have you ever prayed this scripture? 

Psalm 139:23-24 (Amplified Bible) Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

A couple of weeks ago, my alarm sounded at 5:15 a.m. Ugh! 

I shut it off. Shrugged into my robe. You should see this robe. It is thick and fuzzy and fat and I look like a warm roly-poly all tied up in it. But, no one is awake in the house at that hour except Jesus and he doesn’t care what I look like. 

 I shuffled to the coffee pot where a fresh brew was waiting. (One of God’s greatest blessings to humanity is the auto brew feature). I pulled my Daily Bible from the drawer along with my prayer binder then moved to sit on the end of the couch under the lamp on the table. I tucked my cold feet under me and I begin to read and sip from the steaming cup. 

It’s funny what will happen when you just sit with Jesus. You find out just how much you really don’t know. 

It’s been years since I overcame my disappointments in my marriage. I discovered peace and am happily married to the best guy on the planet. But on this particular morning, God was going to have a WORD with me. Yikes! 

As I sat and scribbled a few requests in my prayer book, I immediately stopped in mid-sentence as a thought came to me. 

"Lynn, you have unforgiveness in your heart.” What, Lord? Are you talking to me?” 

I sat and listened. 

And then, I was overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. It was true. Way, way back in the cobwebs of my heart something was lurking. I honestly didn’t know it was there. 

It was anger. 

Anger with my husband. I was still mad at him and to top it off, I wasn’t even really sure what I was mad about. Just mad. Angry. 

“O Lord, Lord, LORD, you are so right. It is there.” 

To my utter surprise, I was still allowing anger to linger in my soul. I was SHOCKED! But I knew in that instant it was there. What’s crazy about this is the fact that God has known it was there all along and decided it was time to clue me in. God freaks me out sometimes! He is amazing in His love and care for us. 

Now here is the wild part. 

I prayed, “O, Lord. There IS anger in my heart. I didn’t know I was saving it back there. I confess it to you. Forgive me.” 

Immediately I felt a physical release. The best way I can think to describe it is as if a rope was tied around me. It had been there so long I didn’t even know it. It had become part of me. But, in that instant I felt like a knife sliced clean through it and released the tension. I’m not kidding, I felt a physical little pop. I jumped. 

Then I sat there stunned. What in the world just happened? 

I’ll tell you what, God knows me so well, certainly better than I know myself. He yearns for every part of my soul. In that moment, I understood for the first time just how sin binds us up over time. It slowly intertwines itself in our skin, deliberately tightening, shutting down our circulation – life in Christ. Real freedom comes from confession and forgiveness. 

Unforgivness, the need to be right, having the last word, selfishness, bitterness, hatred, held against anyone is a bitter root, a rope of bondage, that will impede our full relationship with Jesus. 

I realize forgiveness is difficult. Many of us carry deep woundings, placed there by people who should have protected and cared for us. 

My journey to forgiveness started with a simple and honest prayer. 

Lord, help me to want to forgive. 

I’m sure you have heard this before but unforivness and bitterness rarely affects the person to whom you are harboring these feelings. Forgiveness comes through the supernatural power of Jesus Christ. I have found the path to freedom from my bitterness through Jesus. 

So I have a scary challenge for you today. Pray this scripture. 

Psalm 139:23-24 (Amplified Bible) Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

But expect Him to reveal some things to you that He want’s changed and then …… 

Do it! 

There is freedom in Jesus. There is happiness in mismatched marriage. Let His name be praised. Be blessed, Lynn

Thankful Thursday

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month, August, we are all meeting up with Laurie of Women Taking A Stand and in September we will share our thanks with Iris of Grace Alone. 

This week my heart is full. 

I work with some of the MOST amazing women in our church office. I tell you what, working in the office of our large church has opened my eyes. The people who work there are under paid and over worked. They deal with life and death problems and the fates of eternities.

They love Jesus and work tirelessly in the face of complaints about the donuts or the coffee, or the bathrooms, or the music or ..... or...... and..... and....

But, they love Jesus and they serve. I count it an amazing blessing to be on the team of Women's Ministry. These women I work with are amazing mothers, wives and servants of Jesus. They care deeply for the healing of the women in our congregation and for their spiritual growth. They give hour upon hour, their personal financial resources and their tears to help other women discover the joy of living for Christ.

So, today I give thanks with a heart filled up for the unusual blessing of working in a church office, even though I am unequally yoked. But mostly I give thanks to our Lord because these friends, like all of you, are my forever family. My eternal family.

I can't wait to hug your necks in heaven. I truly long to meet you. Happy TT. What are you thankful for?

Be blessed, Lynn

Three Powerful Words

In Mark 10, we’re told about the story of a rich young man who approaches Jesus and asks what he has to do to inherit eternal life. Now read Jesus’ reply below as I’ve shown an edited version of it. You’ll understand why I did this in just a moment.

Jesus looked at him... "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." — Mark 10:21

Read it again if you need to and notice every word. Now read the complete version of this same verse:

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." — Mark 10:21

Can you see the difference? If not, go back and compare the two and find the three words missing from the first one. Three little words:

and loved him

They don’t have to be there to show what’s going on, but those three words stopped me in my tracks. Here stands this young man who lacks nothing materially. Jesus can see his heart before he even speaks a word, and most likely knows what this young man will say.

Yet—and this is the part that blows me away—Jesus loved him. He loved this man whose world centered on his wealth. This man who would turn and walk away from the gift Jesus offered. The man who was so mired in his sinful nature that when offered the key to eternity (Jesus was offering himself here), he still chose to walk away.

Through all this, Jesus loved this man and met him exactly where he stood, figuratively and literally. Every time Jesus looks upon us, He loves us.

Every time Jesus looks upon our unbelieving spouses, He loves them. Exactly where they’re at.

These three little words held within the complete context of this chapter of Mark is one of the strongest examples of Christ’s unconditional love. When God inspired the men to write His Word down, He intentionally put those words in there for a reason. Not as an afterthought.

As Christ loved this man who was poor despite his wealth, so we are called to love our unbelieving spouses. We stand before them, possibly the only representation of Christ in their lives. We are the door Christ can walk through and reveal His endless and intentional love.

God’s love is not afterthought. It is the heart of His salvation. And when we allow God to use us to reveal His heart…His love, we stand in the footsteps of Christ.

Praying and believing,
Dineen

Spiritual Warfare and My Unbelieving Husband

I have one last story to share with you. 

This trilogy of articles on spiritual warfare has a price. I have asked the Lord to protect my family and me. So today, I ask you to pray over my writing and speaking to result in two things; that the Lord, Jesus, is honored and that His Saints are empowered to fight the forces of evil. 

Also, I acknowledge that sharing these accounts of the spiritual realm may be troublesome to those who have never encountered what I describe. However, I began this blog over four years ago with a single purpose: To help others who are married to unbelievers. That is why I am compelled to share this story.

It took me years to learn how to fight for my unsaved husband. After too many years and too many tears, I finally found peace with my faith and my spouse through the power of Jesus Christ alive in my heart. I don’t want one other person to live in wasted years of unhappiness and frustration when I can share the truth I know from sitting at the feet of Jesus. 

It was Christ, Himself who brought healing to my heart and marriage. I want to share what Jesus has taught me so that you can also thrive in your marriage. 

In addition, I know there are many of you who are married to a spouse who dwells smack in the middle of the enemy camp and the spiritual warfare I describe is very real in your life (I have read your comments from last week).

Oh, how I wish I had known what I know now back in the early years. No one was teaching me. No one talked about these battles with the enemy and in fact, most Christians shy away from talking about doing battle with the enemy because it’s so controversial. But, I answer to Jesus and after serious prayer and four years of writing, He told me to share so that I can help someone else fight for their spouse. 

Thank you for praying for me. Now let’s get started. 

____ 

When I speak at conferences, the audience is always interested in how my husband feels about my ministry efforts. I think that’s a great question and I always tell them this: 

Today I’m going to share with you some stories from my marriage, some struggles, triumphs and the fantastic journey in which God has set in motion. I want you to know that my husband enthusiastically supports my writing and speaking. He has given me his full permission to share our lives. 

In fact, on the day I was preparing to start my blog, I went to my husband and explained what I was doing. I told him that I planned to write about our married life but wouldn’t do it if he objected. I also promised him that if I wrote something I thought might bother him. I would bring it to him to read first so he would be okay with my posting it. (Every time I have, he has always approved- I love that man) 

After my explanation and seeking his approval, he looked at me and said this, “Honey, if you can help one other couple to NOT go through what we have been through. 

Then GO FOR IT.” 

Amazing! 

I still giggle as I remember this. I giggle and delight at how in spite of my husband’s lack of acknowledging God, God uses my husband to do His work on earth. It’s a blast to watch it all unfold. 

With that said, I want to share my account of a time when I was praying for my husband. 

Several, several years ago, I began to pray differently for my husband’s salvation. I was doing some study about breaking spiritual bondage. I was learning that the devil’s lies hold so many people hostage, unable to “hear” to real truth of the gift of salvation. I wanted to pray and fight the bondage that was holding my husband captive to the lie that God did not exist. 

I would lay awake at night and place my hand on my husband’s back as he slept. I would pray for him. Something similar to this: 

Lord, right now I ask that you would break the bondage of lies my husband has around him. In the name of Jesus, I bind the enemy that speaks lies to my husband and that is fighting to keep him away from You. Lord, I ask that you would protect my husband from evil that is fighting to retain its claim over him. Lord, dispatch angels to walk with my man wherever he is goes to protect him. Free his mind and heart. Open his spiritual eyes that he can know the truth and let the truth set him free. In the powerful, life-changing name of Jesus our Redeemer, Amen. 

My prayer was drawn from a couple different passages, which I was studying. Such as John 8:32 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 

I think I prayed like this for many, many months, perhaps even a few years. I can’t really recall. I just know I would pray every night with my hand lightly resting upon him as he slept. 

Well several years ago, I recall it was during the summer months because we have a door in our bedroom where you can step out onto the back patio. I remember that on this particular night we left the door open to allow the cool evening breezes to come in. We kept the screen door shut to keep the bugs out but the air could still flow. 

It was in the middle of the night and pitch dark. I don't know the time of night but I came immediately awake. I sat up in bed. I couldn’t see anything but I felt something had just come through the screen door into our bedroom. I felt alarmed in my spirit.  

I couldn't see anything but I sensed it and……It was seething. 

I could feel its hatred and anger. In a split second, I understood that I was facing an evil spirit who had a claim on my husband. It was seething mad that I was praying it’s claim away. I don’t know how to explain this but to say I just knew….. I knew this thing had “owned” my husband for a very long time. 

What I mean by this is, I think it was assigned to my husband to keep him from finding the truth. And for years had been successful. However, my prayers were making a difference and it arrived to have it out with me. 

Oh my gosh, I started praying like crazy. Out loud and with fervor, I prayed, binding it by the power and blood of Jesus Christ. I spoke and said it no longer had a hold over my husband that Jesus was the truth. I prayed scriptures but I can’t remember today which ones. I also don’t know for how long I prayed like this. It could have been only a minute or many minutes. 

All during this pivotal battle, my husband never woke. Don’t ask me why. I don’t know how loud I was speaking; I was just doing what I knew to do. Pray with the authority of my Lord, Jesus. 

Then suddenly I sensed “felt” it turn and with what I would describe as a great rush like wind, it fled in a hurry back through the screen door. 

It has never been back. 

Whew! 

This encounter happened years ago, before I began writing, but now as I have had time to pray and consider it all, I didn’t realize at the time how important that night was. 

Since that time, my husband has changed. I didn’t notice at first but now I can clearly see that my husband’s hostility toward matters of faith is mostly gone. He doesn’t bristle when I talk about God. In fact, he has moved significantly toward the cross ever since. Although he has yet to cross the line and make Jesus Lord of his life, our marriage now thrives in peace. 

I’m convinced, as a woman, married to a man who doesn’t believe, our prayers for our unsaved spouse are of eternal and monumental importance. 

We are on the front lines. 

At the end of this life nothing, NOTHING, else matters but the salvation of people and a life lived to glorify the Son. 

Period. The end. 

Don’t grow weary. When you are weak, write me. I will pray beside you. I know how utterly important our battle prayers are for the cause of Christ. 

Be blessed, Lynn

Nancy Kennedy Interview and Update 2010

It is a delight and a privilege to welcome Nancy Kennedy to Spiritually Unequal Marriage once again.

Originally, from California Nancy lives in central Florida with her husband, Barry. Her two daughters, Alison and Laura, are grown. Alison is married with one daughter, Caroline (age  8 ½). Laura is going to college part-time in Charlotte, N.C. and working full-time.

Nancy works as a features writer and religion columnist for the Citrus County Chronicle in Florida. She also writes books and speaks at Christian women’s retreats. She is a member of Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church in Lecanto, Florida.

_____

I have shared in previous posts here at SUM that Nancy’s book, When He Doesn’t Believe, greatly impacted my heart and marriage. Her work contributed enormously to the healing of my marriage in the early years. As a young woman I struggled to navigate my faith with my unsaved husband and was deeply unhappy and desperately searching for help. It was in the early years that I picked up Nancy’s book from the local Christian book store and found comfort. Her wisdom and practicality filled me with hope and encouraged me to move forward in my marriage and faith.

I thought it would be fun to take a look at a couple of the chapter’s in her book and ask Nancy to expand on a few of the subjects covered.

Lynn: Nancy, we are delighted to have you join us again here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and giving of yourself to serve the Kingdom of God. You honor Jesus with your life and heart.

I was thinking it might be fun for our readers to just get a quick update on your life and marriage. How are you and Barry doing? How are the girls?

Nancy:  Barry and I celebrated our 35th anniversary this past May. He retired about five years ago and four years ago this month he had open-heart surgery, quadruple bypass. His heart surgeon was a doctor who was also a member at my church and got to know Barry well. Six months after that Barry had another surgery with the same doctor and then another few heart procedures after that. So, he had a rough couple of years for a while. Oh, and the girls are fine.  

Lynn: Nancy, chapter ten, Lord, Hear my Prayer, particularly resonates with me. I can testify to the truth that our motives in prayer are crucial. Can you share with us your thoughts on how we can pray for our spouse?

Nancy:  I know more about how NOT to pray than how to. I believe that God uses the prayers of His people, but He doesn't NEED them in order to work in our lives. I think that our prayers are more for us than anything else. That said, God tells us to pray, to ask and believe.

I started out praying that God would convict my husband of his sin, but it was more of a "Get him, God!" Today, I would pray that people would understand how great their sin is in comparison to God's great mercy and grace. That's my prayer for a lot of people, me included, that we would see God's great mercy and our need for it because that's what draws us to Him. 

When we pray for our husbands, or anyone, I think God's purpose is to change us, soften our hearts, and also surprise and delight us when He answers. 

Lynn: You and Barry have been married for 35 years.  Share with us how you remain hopeful over these many years. 

Nancy:  Just before Barry's first heart surgery he prayed with his doctor! He said he knew it was time, that the day of his surgery might be his last. It was awesome! I was terrified in the waiting room, but I knew that I would see him in eternity. But that was 30 years in the waiting. I kept hopeful all those years because I believe that God is sovereign, that He knows what He's doing (and that He's just not done doing it), that He never says "Oops" and that as long as a person has breath, there's still reason to hope.  

Lynn: In Chapter five, Being Perfect vs. Being Real, you talk about the many women who feel like they must always be the perfect example of a Christian in their marriage. At the end of the chapter you offer this; Think on These Things: Think about how easily Christians fall into the “Maintaining a good witness” trap. Can you give us an example from your own marriage where living in authenticity proved more powerful than the pretense of being a perfect Christian?

Nancy:  I write a weekly faith column for a daily newspaper in Florida and in it I often express my doubts and confess my sins and shortfalls. I admit freely that at times I don't love God the way I think I should and that I struggle with going to church sometimes. I've had very proper churchy people call or write and scold me for not "maintaining my witness" but I've had more people stop me in the market to say they're not Christians, but that I've shown them that maybe they could be. Too often we show the world that we're uptight and uncomfortable in our own skin as Christians. It makes outsiders think that Jesus makes a person weird. What Jesus should do (and does!) is make a person secure—secure enough to let people see our struggles with sin and obedience. That authenticity is what attracts people to the Lord. 

Lynn:  One day in heaven, you and I will sit together and share the stories of how our Lord orchestrated the astonishing in His relentless pursuit of our husbands soul. What is one story that shines in your memory?

Nancy: My “pigs fly” memory. I had almost given up thinking my husband would ever want to make a move toward faith. I told a friend, “It’ll happen when pigs fly,” in other words, never. Then came Christmas Eve, I think it was 2004. It was the first year neither of my girls were home for Christmas and Barry worked out of town. I didn’t expect him home until Christmas Day, so I made arrangements to be a greeter at all three of our Christmas Eve services. As I stood in the church lobby area before the second service, out of the corner of my eye I saw a familiar face, but it didn’t register who it was. Barry came walking up, wearing a white shirt and tie (and his sunglasses!), no advance notice, no clues, total surprise. He had never been to my church before and he came that night. He had been planning it for weeks. That night I saw a pig fly. It was a year and a half later that I know for sure he came to faith.

Lynn: Nancy give us an update on your newest book/project.

Nancy: I’m not currently writing any new books and my speaking schedule is blank, so I’m not sure what God has for me. Maybe my season of writing is over or maybe it’s just taking a break. My newest books are “Girl On A Swing” and “Lipstick Grace,” which is a collection of 120 of my columns.

Lynn: How can we, the community of Spirituallyunequalmarriage.com, pray for you?

Nancy: That I will continue to rest in God’s faithfulness to me.  I need to tell you all that even though I know for sure Barry is saved, he still doesn’t love church. I go on Saturday nights and he and I take a drive on Sunday mornings and listen to sermons on CD (he does love to hear preaching). So, in many ways, my life is the same. Still, God is sovereign and He never says “Oops” – and He’s not done yet.

You are always a delight Nancy. Thank you for taking time to share your life with us. We love you.

When He Doesn't Believe: Help and Encouragement for Women Who Feel Alone in Their Faith By Nancy Kennedy

Thankful Thursday

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

This month, August, we are all meeting up with Laurie of Women Taking A Stand and in September we will share our thanks with Iris of Grace Alone. 

Walking with Jesus is always a surprise. He is continually showing me His grace, His work in my life and His desire to help the Saints.

So last Friday I came home from a walk-and-talk with Him and I was filled with a Holy Fire to share some of my spiritual warfare encounters. So, I wrote what He told me.

And, Wow. I'm finding out as believers, we don't talk about this kind of warfare too often. And that many of us have actually experienced it. 

I'm so thankful that I followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and wrote what He told me. If you have time to read the stories here is the link:

This is Real Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare and our Children

Stop back on Friday for Spiritual Warfare and my Husband.

Praise God from Him we can Fight and WIN! Have a blessed TT. Hugs, Lynn

Can't Out Give God

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. — Psalm 94:18-19

I read these verses yesterday morning during my quiet time. As their truth sank into my spirit, my thoughts latched onto how much God does for us. By nature, gratitude doesn’t come easy. It’s a mindset that takes some practice and diligence. Unlike God, we tend to give a little, then watch for one of two things. Or both.

1. That we’re appreciated.
2. That we’ll get something back.

It’s kind of like a test for us. And if we’ve been burned, we hesitate to give again. This can be especially true in marriage where hearts are easily hurt and motives can take a u-turn toward selfishness.

But something magnificent struck me today about God. He gave everything He had (His Son) right off the bat. He didn’t hold back, despite the constant pain and rejection he received from his children. He didn’t wait until we truly appreciated Him, nor does expect anything from us.

God desires our love and devotion but he wants it as willingly as He gave us His Son. That’s how He works, especially with our unsaved spouses. It’s all about the heart and God’s timing.

I know sometimes you feel like you’re at the end of your rope, that you have nothing left to give. Take that as a sign that God’s telling you to quit working from your own reserves and start using His. He never runs out. His love is endless and always accessible, and He’s filled us with it.

We’re like a two part tank. One tiny part is filled with our love. It’s the first one we tend to draw from and it runs out fast. Then there’s this huge cavernous tank holding an unlimited supply. The problem is, it’s so big, we have a hard time comprehending how to tap into it. We assume we’re not meant or worthy to. But God’s Word tells us otherwise, and speaks of His amazing love constantly. All for us.

Afterall, He loved us enough to give us His Son, right?

So, when you reach that point where you think you have nothing left to give, reach out to God. He’ll show you that bottomless tank of His love. He’ll fill you with it, then He’ll show you how to love your spouse, your family, your friends—everyone He needs you to love through Him and to Him.

How will you know it’s God’s tank and not yours that you’re using? You’ll suddenly realize that the way you love your spouse is way beyond any love tank you have.

That’s when you’ll know you’re drawing on the best source of all. And not only that. You’ve just given your unbelieving loved one a glimpse of it, too.

Praying and believing,
Dineen