07/24/2020
PRAISE THE LORD for DATES! Can I get an AMEN?! I always knew Dates were precious but ever since Covid they have gone through the roof in both their value and their need around here!
Speaking of Covid and marriage… let’s talk a bit about how our marriages may have been impacted over the past few months …
We’ve all had unexpected circumstances thrown at us haven’t we? Kids home from school unexpectedly, spouses working from home unexpectedly, maybe an unexpected job loss or illness and lets not forget an unexpected lock down. Maybe other things were thrown your way… how about loss of childcare or the isolation from loved ones? Or maybe the loss of loved ones? All things that we did not expect from life this year and were unprepared for how much they might affect us.
So just a little check in here. How has your marriage relationship been through all of this?
Truthfully I was surprised at how much quarantine affected our own marriage. I was a bit alarmed actually! We have a strong marriage and yet we found ourselves arguing more, upset more often and having to pause to talk things through more regularly. We were dealing with increased stressors in many areas - work, parenting, financial stressors, and the anxiety of what was happening in the world around us. It shouldn’t be shocking that these things will take a toll on our marriages!
Don’t be alarmed, though. Strong ships weather tough storms! We build our marriages to last if they are in fact built on Christ, the Solid Rock.
In John 16:33 AMP Jesus tells his disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”
W O W . WOW!
Jesus and His offer of perfect PEACE is ours for the taking (and enjoying) today, right now. Not only His peace (which is perfect, complete, lacking nothing!), but his OVERCOMING POWER and abiding victory! They are ours as we connect deeply with Him and allow His life to flow through us! As we do this, and only as we do this, can perfect peace and abiding victory extend to our marriages. So lets do this!
If there is stress, anger, frustration or disconnect operating in your marriage I urge you to get alone with the Father and ask Him to search your heart to pinpoint the cause of that stress, anger and frustration. I urge you to exchange those feelings for His peace and power. Daily. And to move toward your spouse in love. Together, empowered by Christ, you will overcome the many unexpected things being thrown your way. And I believe you will experience the overcoming power of Christ in your marriage.
Also - try to get out on a date - even if just for a bit. Our Marriages need nourishment, time and attention even more right now.
Blessings!
Rachel