This year my hubby and I will celebrate our 40th anniversary.
It hasn’t been easy for either of us, as we both had/have one major obstacle to overcome … self.
I have said this before, and still believe it’s so true, other people (or circumstances) are
NEVER the problem.
It is how we choose to react to them.
Now if there is an issue in our marriage I immediately go to the Doctor
for a heart check up.
Jesus is my Physician, and nearly always, the symptoms indicate that “I”
am experiencing a problem receiving God’s love at the time, and the Bible is
the prescribed cure.
I remember a few summers ago when my hubby and I were doing yard work together on a rather warm day. He was mowing the front yard while I finished the back. At one point I was passing by the front yard when I heard the Lord clearly speak to my heart.
He simply said,”Minister to Me.”
Immediately I looked around and asked Him, “Where are You Lord?” Then my eyes fell on my sweet Hubby, working so hard and drenched in sweat.
Excited to minister to the Lord, I located a hand towel, soaked it in cool water, and grabbed a bottled water as I hurried to where he was.
I love it when I hear the Holy Spirit speak to me this way, yet God can choose to speak to us in many ways, but primarily through His word.
The following verses are very well known and I’ve chosen this version from the Amplified Bible.
“If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not
love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by
God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and
purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all
knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but
have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (useless nobody).
Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I
surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love
(God’s love in me), I gain nothing.
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils
over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself
haughtily.
It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude
(unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not
insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not
touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it
pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when
right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to
believe the best of every person, its hopes are fade-less under all
circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]
…”
“God is love.”
So since God loves us this way, if we believe and receive His love, then
can learn to love our spouses unconditionally. There is so much more but it all begins here.
God just doesn’t want our marriages to survive, He wants them to thrive!
No matter how bad things are right now, they could always be worse so we
should take some time to thank God for His goodness and wiliness to heal and strengthen our
marriages.
And if you aren’t married, or have become separated from your spouse (in
any way), make a “date” with Jesus because He IS the best
gift of all.
So I believe that marriage is like a box of Chocolates … with Christ in the
center you’ll never be disappointed with what you get inside.
PS. You cannot give away what you don’t have. Without a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ – who loves you unconditionally- it is impossible to love others with that same love. Jesus isn’t keeping score, but we will if we don’t have, (or have knowledge of what we have), the love of Jesus flowing to us, and through us to others.
(1 Cor. 13:1-8, 1 John 4:8, 4:16)
Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
