“Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be proud.” Rom. 12:16
We Cleary’s have been helping out with a
marriage conference, recently hosting a “couples adventure night” at the house.
What a blessing. ~In talking with different individuals, it’s evident that every significant relationship in our lives
is going to have “bumps”. But what appears to separate the good from the sad is
in how we handle these bumps and grow (or not) in personal character.
God's ideals vs. the
world’s ideals in marriage:
The world tells us marriage is about individual happiness here and now.
God tells us marriage, (the earthly “picture” of Christ and His
bride), is about an individual’s holiness
now and into eternity.
Pastor Evans says, “Society says marriage is
about finding the right person. God
tells us marriage is about being the right kind of person.”
Are you currently experiencing a bumpy
relational road? Rather than continuing to pursue personal autonomy and rights,
which ends with a 50+% divorce statistic, why not give God’s approach a try?
Two practical ideas that have worked for
couples (and teens!) in disagreement:
Allow the person
requesting “space” to have space (no disrespecting
him/her by chasing after him/her just because you want harmony NOW.) ~Yet, with
a respectful words and disposition, designate
another time to meet to discuss.
Write down
thoughts, and some time pass while praying over the
situation and persons (self
included) before adjusting wording as
the Spirit leads. Then discuss written thoughts with the other person at
the “agreed to” time.
Why don’t we scrap our egos, lose ourselves in
loving and caring for one another, (“submitting to one another out of reverence
for Christ” Eph. 5:21), and gain the promises that won’t disappoint? (2 Pet.
1:3-4; 2 Cor. 7:1)
In this thing together! Christ’s coming for
His bride soon…may we be ready for Him.
Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy
