{"id":1193,"date":"2024-03-21T17:56:22","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T22:56:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livingyourbestlife60plus.com\/blog\/?p=1193"},"modified":"2024-06-19T06:06:34","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T11:06:34","slug":"exploring-the-heart-of-marriage-with-wisdom-and-vision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livingyourbestlife60plus.com\/blog\/2024\/03\/21\/exploring-the-heart-of-marriage-with-wisdom-and-vision\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring the Heart of marriage with Wisdom and Vision"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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We each have thousands of questions that run through our brain daily. Everything from small incidental questions to deep introspective thoughts and questions. Most people don\u2019t think about how powerful these questions are. We write them off. But I hope you will spend some time with me on this topic. Let\u2019s look at it from a Christian perspective.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we have all these random questions that go through our brain daily\u2014which we do, how does this relate to wanting a thriving, passionate marriage and believing that this is what God wants for us? The Bible tells us that we are to take our thoughts, and I want to include questions, captive. Why would God direct us in this if it were not important. Because we have a sin nature. Paul talks about it in that the flesh wants to do one thing and the spirit another. This is a constant battle. 2 Corinthians 10:5<\/a> literally tells us to \u201ctake captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Also, Philippians 4:8<\/a>: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable\u2014if anything is excellent or praiseworthy\u2014think about such things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These verses emphasize the importance of aligning our thoughts with Christ and focusing on what is true, noble, and in accordance with God’s principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I share these ideas because with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we must work on this all the time. For me, when it comes to the area of my marriage, my natural questions do not put my husband in the best light. My initial assumptions often bring up this question: \u201cWhy is he doing this to me?\u201d In your life, it may be: \u201cWhy does he always ___(you fill in the blank)__?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Does He Do That?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a real example from my life. I just cleared out the dishwasher and he comes in and leaves a bowl and glass on the counter. My go to question is: \u201cWhy does he do that? I am not his mother.\u201d Sounds silly right, but we do it all the time. We have these default questions and the answers to these un-useful questions, bring distance in our relationships. Yet, we wonder why we are irritated with our husband. These kind of questions and answers stack themselves up all the time. Literally, while I was writing out this post, the example I just gave you really happened. I cleared out the dishwasher this morning and I just when I went in to put my plate in the dishwasher, there was his plate on the cabinet. The crazy thing about this story that just happened as I saw the plate on the cabinet, I had to remind myself that he had just offered to fry a couple of eggs for me. I said yes. He made my breakfast. Yet, I naturally have that kind of question in my brain. God has a sense of humor don\u2019t you think. Marriage is the reflection of our hearts. And my heart can be deceitful. That\u2019s why I stress this all the time. If you are getting your answers from the world, they will tell you to trust yourself. If you feel it, it must be true. What a lie! I\u2019m learning that trusting in myself, trusting my assumptions are not the answer. The Bible tells us to not lean on our own understanding for a reason. It is faulty! My mini-example is proof. My husband does something really nice for me makes breakfast and my default question was that same old ugly question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Really study God\u2019s truths and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our actions is the answer to that thriving, passionate marriage. The answer is simple. Applying it is the difficult part. Your relationship with your maker is the answer. This is not religion this is about relationship. Who you spend time with matters. I\u2019ve done it all the ways. Believe me, it is a daily battle with myself. The flesh and the spirit. We will have these thoughts and questions. But what I\u2019m learning is: the better the question, the better the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple Question<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I want to give you two versions of a simple questions that can stop this cycle. If there is anything you get from this post, remember this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, ask yourself: \u201cWhat else could this mean?\u201d Then shift it slightly and ask: \u201cGod, please show me, what else this could mean?\u201d Then, take a pause and let the answers come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve also put some more general empowering questions together that will help us create  daily plan for our thriving, passionate marriage. I encourage you to pray on this! Pick one that resonates with you and start with that. Once you have the idea, you can create your own set of questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n