Mark and I have been married for over 50 years now. Marriage is hard work and it certainly isn’t always easy. For me the key has been GOD!! If I can bring my woes to Him before spouting off, it goes so much better! It’s not good to stuff disappointments down but to talk to the Lord first can eliminate so much unnecessary conflict and stress!
From the journal . . . . March 2014
. . I was wanting to point out to Mark something I felt he was doing wrong.
“Lord, when I think of the outcome of talking to Mark, I am pretty sure he would just get mad. So, to avoid him getting mad at me, Lord, could You convict him?”
And I Believe God Said:
Yes I can. I want to shield you and I want you to mind your own business. I’m not saying to cover or condone it. Just leave it alone. The times you get hurt by Mark are often brought about by your ‘sinful’ nature. At times, he is guilty too, but if you try to take a bone from a dog . . . you may get bit. Check your emotions. Think of the outcome. Don’t say to yourself, ” I Gotta Be Me“. * Say “I got to be a follower of Christ” .
*Sammy Davis Jr. 1968
God, thank You. I will need You to hold my hand. Don’t take Your word of truth from me. Remind me of Your instructions. *
Psalm 119:43 Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
for your regulations are my only hope.
Oh my God!! These words are Your instructions, commands, decrees, and regulations that I read and say from Psalms 119.* LOL!!! That’s very personal.
* My friend and I had decided we would try to memorize Ps 119. Ambitious, right? I didn’t finish but I still go over the index cards I wrote out from Psalm 119:1-80. So good! And they come in handy!
From the journal . . . . December 2021
God’s timing is so funny! It makes me laugh. Just the other day I was very frustrated with Mark and literally cried to the Lord about it.
And I Believe God Said:
I see you. I see him and I’’ll talk to him. He doesn’t feel good about his responses.
And the Lord revealed to me part of what was going on in Mark.
He feels bad. It doesn’t excuse him but don’t believe he isn’t aware or that he doesn’t care.
When he got home that evening, he apologized for being cranky, and life was happy again. It makes me think maybe, in all of the years of God patiently teaching me, I have learned some things. Specifically, to bring hurts and concerns to Him.
All praise and glory to God!!
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Wow! How I needed that word today. I had been praying asking God to hear his voice regarding a situation with Harley. I’m smiling because He heard me and sent me a word. Perfect timing for this blog entry!
Ohh. Sweet Sweet Jesus! He’s got your back, Leslee!!! Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you Diane, I’m in a season of working on some issues in communication with Mike. Yes going to God first is always the best approach, I have also discovered that I need to work on speaking to Mike because my struggle is holding everything in when there are times you have to speak. For me the boundary lines are being re-adjusted, hopefully becoming healthier. God does convict our men though and I just have to leave the room and do a happy dance before God sometimes!
Totally relate Debi!! I tend to hold things in or think I have dealt with it or deny that I’ve been hurt, even to myself. (not as much as I used to) But it will come out in other ways. We are in agreement! Take it to the Lord right away!!! Praise God that we have men whom God can talk to for us!!