Theme:   Love Sex and Marriage - Conflict

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church.

READ: James 4:1-3; Philippians 4:8

THINK: A number of years ago my marriage was having problems. I had prayed with trusted friends and by myself, tried talking through the problems with my husband and then turned to Christian books. I found the book “Power of a Praying Wife” by Stormie Omartian. Suddenly I felt positive! Here was a book which would help me pray changes into my husband and so our marriage.

I was half way through the book when I realized the changes had taken place but they were in ME more than my husband. My attitude and focus had changed from one of conflict and anger to patience and trying to understand. I had started calmly sharing my issues rather than stewing on them until they burst out like an attack. I began to see that just by the changes God had caused in me things had improved between us. And I had stopped focusing on ‘his’ issues and begun to focus on mine.

It seems that by throwing all my emotions into the discussions, my husband had been unable to hear the real problem. By learning patience and talking calmly it made it much easier for him to hear what I was trying to say.

The issues between us weren’t the main problem; it was my method of delivery that was causing the most strain. God worked within me to change how I approached the issues and it changed how we both deal with conflicts.

DO: Decide today to stop looking at the faults of your partner and focus on the good. Start looking to see what you can bring to God in yourself, asking Him to work in and through you to change it for the better.

PRAY: Lord, thank you that you have given us relationships with others. Please help us to work with you about our own faults rather than point out those of others. Help us to focus on the good in the other person and not let our thoughts fester on the bad.  Thank you Lord that you work with us in all things for our good even when it feels difficult or we are reluctant.