Thursday's Thoughts on Marriage: A Firm Foundation

   

     In July of 2016,  my husband Mike and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary.  It has been such a roller coaster ride over the last 23 years.  We have had our ups and our downs.  Over the last few years, I have found that many of the issues I thought were my husband's fault, were issues of my heart.  I wanted him to fill voids that only God could fill.  I find this to be true in many marriages.  We look to our spouses for fulfillment that only Christ can bring.  It puts pressure on the marriage that actually can have physical and emotional effects.

    That is why it is so important  for both the husband and wife to seek a relationship with their Heavenly Father on a daily basis. As a couple we get closer to each other as we get closer to God.  I love the marriage triangle.  It is a visual of what happens when we seek the Lord individually and as a couple.  Our marriages will flourish if we build our relationship on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.  Without a strong foundation, our relationships will have a hard time weathering the storms of life.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” ~ Matthew 7:24-27

      I want to encourage each of you reading this to establish a time for prayer and reading your Bible each day. It is also important to have a time of couples devotions. Read the Word and pray as a team. Allow your children to see you doing this. It will let them understand how a marriage becomes strong. A relationship built on the foundation of Christ is firm and not easily torn apart. As we go about daily life, it is so important to go to the Lord in prayer for your marriage.  Wives, pray for your husbands.  Husbands, pray for your wives.  As you pray, ask the Lord to guide you both in your roles.  Men, pray for your wife to be a good mom and to have patience with your children.  Women, pray for your husbands to lead your family in the ways of God.  Pray for physical and spiritual protection.  Pray that when temptations do come, that they will be able to flee.  Pray that they will follow God's word as they do everyday activities.  Pray that they will be a witness for Jesus both in their words and actions.

     Have you taken the time to sit and pray with your spouse lately?  Do you pray for them each morning as they get out of bed?  Prayer is a powerful tool.  God is our strength to get through every fiery dart that Satan throws at us.  I encourage you to go to the Lord in prayer right now and to pray for your marriage, family, and spouse.  Pray also for the marriages of your friends and family members.



For some great printables on Kindness, please click this link:  http://letsgetreal2016.blogspot.com/2016/09/free-printables-character-quality-of.html