3 Things Jesus Taught Me n My Marriage
Marriage at its first seasons is usually smooth sailing to most newlywed couples, but as months and years pass, tough times will start to unfold – conflicts, disagreements, trust, forgiveness, etc. It can make or break you as a person who has a man or a woman beside you for a lifetime. The only way to have a successful marriage is to let the Victor, Jesus Christ, come into your circle.
Let me share the three things Jesus Christ has taught me in loving my husband more and in working out the early stages of our crumbling relationship:
1. Shift your eyes from your spouse to Jesus.
In Genesis 3:16, God said to the woman, “…And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.”
When I first encountered this verse, I finally understood myself and I was instantly delivered from the spirit of jealousy, bitterness and control (possessiveness) of my husband. I realized that I was an idolater before God because I had stronger feelings and desires for my husband more than Him. God then started to renew my mind as I re-focus my eyes more to Jesus, and I began to notice that my relationship with my husband started to improve. My jealousies, doubts and suspicions of him gradually disappeared and it also helped him become a better person as I began to change my perception of him by trusting and finding security only in God.
If you can relate to this, then it is time you get alone with God and ask Him to help you renew your mind and refocus your eyes to Jesus.
2. Love your spouse as Christ loves you.
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way…” (Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
There was a ime when I was demanding a special time from my husband. He was busy with work and I felt I was in competition of this work because of the time he spends. As I was looking at him and thinking at the back of my mind “I wish he could spend more time with me” I heard God said, “Yes, I wish you could spend more time with Me.” I realized that while I was looking at the failure of my husband, I failed to even see my failures before God. He had to show me my weaknesses before Him to realize His patience in my life so that I can show the same kind of patience with my husband.
3. Always be aware of who the real enemy is.
Coming into disagreements from time to time is normal in all couples. Often, these disagreements and differences (in character, thinking, feelings, personality, etc.) are the sparks of fight, and when not dealt with properly, it can create deep cuts and wounds. When there is unforgiveness, the devil then can start to manipulate your thoughts. Be sensitive of the seemingly unreal and exaggerated thoughts about your husband because these are from the devil.
Remember, Jesus said, “Without Me, you can do nothing” (see John 15:4-6).
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of marriage and for the life of my spouse. Forgive me if I am not as loving to him as You have been to me. I ask the Lord Jesus to come into my marriage and be the center of our relationship. Empower me Holy Spirit to produce your fruit in our marriage in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
