Courage to Change

No problem lasts forever. No matter how permanently fixed in the center of our lives it may seem, whatever we experience in this ever-changing life is sure to pass. Even pain.

Difficult situations often bring out qualities in us that otherwise may not have risen to the surface., such as courage, faith, and our need for another. 

All of our experiences can help us to grow.  But we may need patience. Some wounds cannot be healed quickly. They must be given time. 

In the meantime, we can appreciate the new capabilities we are developing, such as the capacity to mourn and the willingness to accept. Let us share our losses and triumphs with each other, for that is how we gather courage.  (From: Courage to Change, Al-Anon - reading for March 17)

 
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Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [Matthew 5:4]

Simon Sez

I have a friend who is still married today because of prayer, the support of friends, extensive counseling and sheer perseverence to do God's will.  She offers great advice for anyone working to stay married when the going gets rough.  If we follow her advice, then we should have the same great results as she. 

We'll call the series Simon   Susie Sez.  Here's the first instruction:

Susie sez:  Pray and ask God to show you His love for your spouse.  

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You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. [John 14:14]

Reach Towards God

She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." (Matthew 9:21)

And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  (Matthew 14:29)

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.  (John 13:23)

She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.  (Luke 10:39)

...the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God.  (Luke 5:1)

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Come near to God and he will come near to you. [James 4:8]

The Exposed Heart

When you get married, your spouse gives you his heart.  It lies open and exposed before you. 

It is a big responsibility - to nurture this heart.  

Are you stomping or strengthening his heart?  Kicking or caressing it?  Belittling it or building it? 

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Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
 [1 Peter 4:8]

Comfort

"When my spirit was in heaviness, thou knewest my path..."  (Psalm 142:3a)

What a comfort to know that He knows our hearts.  If our spirit is heavy, he knows it.  Psalm 142 encourages us to pour out our hearts to the Lord.  We can cry unto Him, complain to Him, show Him our troubles and pour out our complaints to Him.

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I cried unto thee, O Lord, and said, Thou art my hope, and my portion in the land of the living.  
[Psalm 142:6]

The Iron Entered His Soul

We tend to think that if we're suffering, then something is wrong.  We may feel it's the fault of someone in our lives, due to their behavior.  Or, we may blame ourselves for seemingly poor life choices. 
Yet, suffering is the very thing that God uses to refine us into pure vessels.

"He wants us to be, not hothouse plants, but storm-beaten oaks; not sand dunes driven with every gust of wind, but granite rocks withstanding the fiercest storms.  To make us such, he must needs bring us into His testing room of suffering."  ~Streams in the Desert

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'Joseph ' whose feet they hurt in the stocks: the iron entered into his soul' (Taken from the Book of Common Prayer, 1662, Psalms 105:18)

For Wives, When Struggling

Sometimes, he may not treat you lovingly.  He is not perfect; neither are you.  No matter how he treats you, forgive him and show him respect.  It is possible to show someone dignity and respect regardless of how you feel they are treating you.  Ask God to show you the good in the situation.  Have faith in God's future for you as a couple.

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Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  [Ephesians 5:21]