Have you ever found yourself hopelessly drifting through your Marriage? I have been there. It’s hard work come back from that place. Hard but not impossible. Grace is the one thing I find makes the difference between Joy and Strife in our Marriage. This has stayed true in good years and difficult years.
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This sets the mood in our home when someone messes up big and we are tempted to react in anger.
The Key is for Grace to flow 3 ways
- Grace from God to me.
- I show Grace to my spouse.
- Then our marriage is a picture of Grace to the world.
1. Grace from God to me
I struggle to forgive myself when I mess up. How about you?
I set unrealistic expectations and beat myself down when I don’t live up to them. Many days it is hard to accept God’s grace. When I refuse God’s forgiveness it creates friction in my home.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladl, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Why is it so hard to embrace God’s grace in my life? It is freely given. He forgives me and gives me countless do overs. Yet I spit in the face of His gracious nature by holding onto my past mistakes and setting unrealistic standards for myself.
It has to stop! Ladies, we have to accept Gods Grace!
2. I extend Grace to my spouse
It may not surprise you to know that I also hold my spouse to some very unrealistic expectations. Do I have a right to have so many expectations on him? There are a few biblical expectations, but those are not usually where we struggle. How about you?
TRUTH: My spouse is human. He makes mistakes.
I need to show grace when he messes up… because God shows me grace.
For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. ~ Matthew 6:14-15 NASB
Forgiving others – when their mistake affects my life is not easy. It is actually where I got stuck in my walk with Jesus for years.
I have had to work hard through the issue of un-forgiveness to get my Walk with Christ unstuck. I’d love to share that journey with you in a Free Downloadable E-book.
3. Our marriage is a picture of Grace seen by the world
Life as a disciple is not about perfection, it is about the process.
We have to stay in the process of sanctification – being made more into God’s likeness.
We all mess up. God shows grace by forgiving us and giving us another chance – a do over.
When I am living that cycle of grace in my home, it creates a beauty that attracts a lost world to Jesus.
Our marriages are a picture of Christ that should be making a Kingdom Impact.
This along with prayer is what restored hope and joy in my marriage. I have had to learn how to Trust in the Lord to Fix my Marriage.
Trusting God is hard. Could you use some help getting to that point?
Right now, I am using a Bible Journaling Kit from Sara at TheHolyMess.com to reinforce some of these concepts. She put together the whole thing on the topic of Trusting in the Lord.
If you are interested in starting up with Bible Journaling or trying to work it into your child’s routine I would highly recommend it. Click here to see what drew me to it!
in Him,
I love this! Have you ever heard the song by Christi Nockels called Grace Flows Down? It’s so beautiful!
Thank you for your sweet comment over on my blog. If you ever make a washi tape bookmark I really would love to see!
Have a Lovely Day!
Thanks Lillian! I will for sure share that with you. It is a project on my list this Summer!
Wow, just listened to it! Love that message! It really is the most beautiful part of our Father!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZdmGVGGH_w
Marriage is definitely not an easy thing. It takes work. Every single day.
too right! it’s funny we never think about that when we plan the wedding. Thanks for the comment Robin!
I can totally relate to the what you have said. An excellent read.
Thanks Jason!
I’ve never been married, but I think any relationship needs a lot of work and a lot of understanding.
That is so true Sarah.
Marriage is not easy. You have 2 different people with 2 different backgrounds coming together. I was always taught you need God in your marriage. Marriage requires patience, work and a lot of love and understanding!
so true! Patience, love and understanding… all easier said than done! Thanks for the comment Wendy.
This was a kick in the pants post that I needed. I need to show my husband more grace.
I’m right there with you Tara! Every day I could use this reminder pinned to my wall.
Marriage depends on so much. Relationships in general require a lot of work and a lot of understanding to be successful.
So True Heather.
I love this, anything that helps give encouragement in marriages in a Godly way I’m all in.
Awe, thanks for encouraging word Shannon!
Marriage always need understanding each other. so we can feel always be happy.
always. Thanks for the comment Maria
Very encouraging and inspiring. A good affirmation for everyone.
Thanks Blair. I think we could all use some encouragement from time to time! so glad to get to offer it.
My husband and I have been married for 27 years this year and this is still very critical to keep in mind. Our relationship is a journey.
Wow! 27 years!!!!! Congratulations. That is so rare in our culture. We are only 15 years in and it has been a lot of learning… Hoping to encourage others to stay the course on this Beautiful Journey!
I have been married for 26 years and it does take a lot of hard work.
That is amazing. I am always encouraged to hear stories of marriages that last! Thanks for commenting.
I am married 29 years in September…its all about grace and love! Marriage to me is a live long lesson of learning and flexability!
I so agree Eileen! Congratulations on 29 years. That is an amazing accomplishment in this day and age!
Marriage is so much better when you put God in the center of your relationship. His guidance will definitely help keep you together through thick and thin. Of course, you’re still going to devote your time and effort.
I love the of course! Truly it’s the easiest relationship to neglect but it’s the one we really need to invest in! Thanks for commenting Carol!
So true. I think a good marriage needs a healthy helping of grace and respect to thrive!
thanks for the comment Ashley.
Amen! This is so true whether in marriage or in life. We received grace from above and we need to extend that grace to others.
absolutely leighanne!
Marriage is all about partnership. My husband and I are in this together, 100% and that is what matters!
Love that! a Partnership for sure. Thanks for the comment Echo.
Your message is important although I’m not sure I’m open to this as dealing with too many crisis right now. Thanks though
I’m so sorry to hear that Tina. I’ll be praying for you and your family.
I have been married for 12 years and being married is not that easy. It is always a work in progress.
So True Garf! Little do we know on the wedding day what hard work Marriage is. It can be beautiful, but it is rarely easy!
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So glad you enjoyed it G! You will enjoy September when the blog will host a Feature author on Marriage each day! Check back and sign up not to miss anything! http://hopejoyinchrist.fistbumpmedia.com/reclaiming-hope-joy-biblical-marriage-blog-party/