THURSDAY AUGUST 8, 2013
“Blessed (happy, to
be envied…) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves
insignificant).” Mt 5:3 AMP
MARITAL HAPPINESS
When the rosy glow diminishes and reality sets in, what
makes some marriages happy while others slide into misery? Luck? Good genes?
Hanging tough? Hardly! Marital happiness that transcends changing circumstances
is built on the qualities Jesus taught. Let’s look at them: (1) Happy are the humble. “Blessed (happy…)
are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant).” Pride
that’s self-promoting and always demanding its rights brings misery, while
humility, self-denial and considering your mate’s needs brings happiness. (2) Happy are the meek: the gentle, patient
and kind. Handling your spouse’s struggles with kindness, sensitivity and
long-suffering is an expression of love that brings healing into the painful
chapters of life and marriage. (3) Happy
are the merciful. Sooner or later well inflict injury into one another. Hurt,
disappointment and anger will rise up, followed by a desire to make them pay.
But just as revenge begets revenge, mercy begets mercy. Mercy isn’t “letting
them get away with it.” Treating your spouse mercifully is reciprocal. It
creates an atmosphere, where, when you fail, “you shall obtain mercy.” Mercy
ends disputes when nothing else works! (4) Happy
are the peacemakers. The need to be “right” and “win” only intensifies
conflict. In marriage, when one “wins,” both lose! Giving up personal victory
to be a peacemaker is ultimate victory. You’d be eternally lost if Jesus hadn’t
willingly surrendered His rights for your wrongs. The ring is not the sole
symbol of Christian marriage, but the cross superimposed on the ring. Christ
like surrender of our uncrucified-self promotes marital happiness!
Taken from The Word for You Today devotional.
No comments:
Post a Comment