\u201cDo we have a compelling future for our marriage?\u201d Have you ever considered this question? I would bet, most of us don\u2019t. We all get into the day-to-day, whatever that looks like for you: the things that are most pressing, that are screaming for our immediate attention. Thinking about the future of our marriage probably doesn\u2019t even cross our mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just because we have approached our marriage a certain way for so long, doesn\u2019t mean it always has to be that way. I feel we have been given these creative brains that we underutilize. We are such creatures of habit. What if there is a new, exciting way to approach your marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, I\u2019m going to revisit something I talked about in an earlier episode in this marriage series: \u201cDo you have a physical time set aside in the morning to spend time with the Lord; reading his word and being in prayer? I shared what has worked for me, that first thing before I get on any social media, I come down to my desk listen to the Abide app<\/a> (a two minute Christian meditation) on my phone, I read Our Daily Bread<\/a> for that specific day, and pray and write in my prayer journal. I do not do this to be religious. This is where the Lord continues to change me. I have all the issues in my heart: being judgmental, unforgiveness, selfishness, pride\u2014all of it. I am renewed every morning when I surrender and trust. This is where Jesus deals with my heart. This time puts me in a grateful loving state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like the scripture in Romans 12:2, which says: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is\u2014his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This verse encourages believers to transform their way of thinking and align it with God’s will instead of conforming to worldly standards. This discipline has changed me and puts me back on the path. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How about you? Do you have a daily discipline of spending time in God\u2019s word and prayer? Of anything I address here, this is the most important thing I talk about! You must spend time with Jesus. In his word and in prayer. This is where he will change your heart. You must surrender and trust!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, I want you to pull out that journal and write the question: \u201cWhat does a compelling future for my marriage look like for me?\u201d Pray about this! Use your imagination and dream for a minute. The answers you come up with will be uniquely the interests of you and your husband. Here’s some ideas to get you started: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever those are. Write down whatever comes to mind. Have fun with this. This list can be endless, adding new ideas all the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve been listening to many of my podcasts and\/or reading these posts, you know I am an optimist. I believe God has given us this ability to dream, to imagine. That our marriage relationship is a gift from God. How we treat that gift is up to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You start creating the compelling future in your mind. You may be asking yourself, what if the ideas you come up with, you question: \u201cIs this is God\u2019s will?\u201d The way to answer that is does it align with God\u2019s truths in his Word. I believe God has given us an abundance mindset and Satan wants us to have a scarcity mindset! If you believe God loves his children and wants the best for them, why would we buy the lie that marriage is somehow a life sentence; one of dread and no hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating this compelling future is the beginning of change. Have fun with this idea. You may never actually do half the things you put on the list, but it\u2019s a start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How are you feeling about this exercise? Are you feeling resistance? Are you, in your mind, defending your present state of your marriage? Maybe you don\u2019t believe me and you\u2019re believing the state of your marriage will never change? Does this bring up fear? Does this challenge you, and you\u2019re thinking and you\u2019re saying in your head, you don\u2019t know my marriage, you don\u2019t know my husband. Like I said, I want you to pray about this. Lay it all before the Lord. You are going to have to surrender and trust. God is the restorer of relationships. If God has brought you here to hear what I have to say, it\u2019s because you have a glimmer of hope. Like God talks about in his word, having faith like the mustard seed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scripture about the mustard seed is found in the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It’s a parable told by Jesus, emphasizing the idea of faith and the potential for great growth from small beginnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV), the passage reads: “He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.’\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What if we looked at our marriages this way. With hope and optimism. With faith like a mustard seed. I know, I keep emphasizing marriage is a gift from God. How we approach our marriage is up to us. Do this exercise, create a compelling future for your marriage. Pray about it. Journal on this idea. Go out and create that compelling future for your marriage!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Does a Compelling Future Look Like?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Beginning of Change<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hope and Optimism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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