Baggage Claim: Unpacking Your Past Issues. Hey! Have you claimed your baggage yet? Hm, you can’t really disown it, you rather unpack it! Doesn’t matter what kind of embarrassing and funny items are in your bag! What matters is to unpack them so that you will not frustrate the one you profess to love!
A woman’s baggage is different from that of a man, however, both have their baggages!
It’s important for couples to be aware of these potential “baggages” and to be willing to address them in a constructive and healthy way. This may include seeking therapy or counseling, learning effective communication and problem-solving skills, and developing healthy coping mechanisms.
By working through these issues, couples can build a stronger foundation for their relationship, and create a deeper sense of trust, intimacy, and connection in their marriage.
Baggage Claim: Unpacking Your Past Issues
A few Types of “baggages” that couples can bring into their marriage include:
1. Past relationship baggage
If a partner has had a past relationship that ended badly, it can be difficult for them to fully open up and trust again. They may be unconsciously bringing in old hurt, anger, or resentment from their past relationship and then the present lover or spouse suffers unnecessarily.
Baggage Claim: Unpacking Your Past Issues
2. Family dynamics
The way a person was raised, their family background, and the dynamics within their family can all have an impact on how they relate to others, including their partner.
For example, someone who grew up in a home where there were a lot of conflicts may have a harder time with communication and problem-solving in their marriage. To unlock this baggage, one might need to improve listening skills, express thoughts and feelings clearly and directly, practice empathy, practice active listening, seek couples therapy
Baggage Claim: Unpacking Your Past Issues
3. Personal traumas
Trauma, whether it be physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental and emotional well-being. It can affect the way they relate to others and can make it harder for them to trust, feel safe, and connect with their partner.
To unpack this, one might need to seek individual therapy, practice self-care and self-awareness, open communication and honesty with a partner, and work through unresolved issues.
If this baggage is not unpacked, the marriage might experience difficulty in forming connections, difficulty in trust, and difficulty in sexual intimacy.
Are you beginning to see why you need to enter the bag? We have a paid course on unpacking your baggage and getting healed. Reach me via WhatsApp if you need to take the course and it would be set up for you.
Isa 43:18-19 (MSG) [18] “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. [19] Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.
There are many other baggages, but I will stop here this morning!
Tonight will be explosive in our weekly meetings on WhatsApp!
Uncovering the Secrets of the Ultimate Husbands. Who is that ultimate husband? Who is that single man who will be a great husband? How can you even know a man that will be a good husband? Discover the timeless wisdom of three biblical figures who set the bar high when it comes to being a devoted and loving husband. From Boaz’s generosity, and Joseph’s faithfulness, to David’s repentance, these men have valuable lessons to teach us about what it truly means to be a great husband in today’s world.
In this devotional, we will look closely at three men who are considered great husbands. We will explore what made these men good husbands and how their examples can be applied to our lives.
Uncovering Secrets of the Ultimate Husband: Boaz
He is a wealthy landowner in the book of Ruth. He is known for his kindness and generosity towards Ruth, a widowed relative of his, and he ultimately marries her and becomes the father of her son, Obed.
Learn From Boaz:
1. He shows kindness and generosity towards Ruth. Be a kind husband.
2. He is fair and just, as seen in his dealings with his workers. Be an upright husband.
3. He is loyal to his family and kin, as seen in his willingness to marry Ruth. Be a loyal husband.
4. Don’t be overly focused on wealth and material possessions at the expense of your partner.
5. Don’t take advantage of your fiancee or wife.
6. Don’t see your partner as a means to an end
Uncovering Secrets of the Ultimate Husband: Joseph
Joseph is known for his work as a carpenter. Joseph is known for his faithfulness to Mary, his wife, even when she was pregnant with Jesus and he was falsely accused of infidelity. He accepted and cared for his wife, even though her pregnancy would cause him many troubles, and he trusted God’s plan for his life.
Learn From Joseph:
1. He is faithful to his wife Mary. Be faithful.
2. He accepts and cares for his wife and child. Be caring.
3. He trusts God’s plan for his life and tries to do the right thing, as seen in his decision to divorce Mary quietly, rather than make a public scandal. Be a lovely husband.
4. Don’t be quick to jump to conclusions or accuse your wife of wrongdoing.
5. Don’t be unfaithful to your wife
Uncovering Secrets of the Ultimate Husband: David
David is best known for his role as the king of Israel. He is known for his deep love for his wife Bathsheba, despite his infidelity and the complications it caused. He repented of his sins and sought forgiveness, and God forgave him.
Learn From David:
1. He deeply loves his wife Bathsheba
2. He repents of his sins and seeks forgiveness, showing humility
3. Don’t be unfaithful to your wife. It can cause damage to your relationship.
4. Don’t try to hide your mistakes or sins. Be sincere.
5. Don’t let your power and position as head of the home go to your head.
In conclusion, the Bible presents many examples of men who were good husbands, and the examples of Boaz, Joseph, and David are just a few of them. Each of them had their own strengths and weaknesses, but they also shared some common traits that made them good husbands. They were kind and generous, faithful and loving, and they had a strong sense of loyalty and faith. Their examples can be seen as a model of how we should treat our partners and families, and how we can strive to be the best versions of ourselves. By learning from these men and by following Jesus’ example, we can be better husbands!
60 Years of Love: The Hagins’ Marriage Secrets. Kenneth Hagin, a well-known Christian minister, author, and founder of Rhema Bible Training College, wrote extensively about marriage and relationships. He and his wife, Oretha, were married for over 60 years. They often shared the stage together and traveled the world spreading the word of God.
One of their most famous stories is the testimony of how they met. According to Kenneth, he had a vision of his future wife and knew that she was the one for him. He then started to pray for her and asked God to bring her into his life. A few months later, he met Oretha at a church meeting and knew that she was the woman from his vision. They got married a few months later.
60 Years of Love: The Hagins’ Marriage Secrets.
Here are a few things they taught about relationships and marriage
1. Understanding: Hagin emphasized the importance of understanding the biblical definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, and the role of the husband as the head of the household.
2. Love: He taught that love is the foundation of a successful marriage and that couples should work to cultivate love and respect for one another. He and his wife Oretha had a strong bond of love, and it was evident in their public and private life
3. Communication: He emphasized the importance of open and honest communication between husband and wife, stating that couples should be willing to share their thoughts and feelings with one another in a respectful and loving way. He and his wife Oretha regularly made it a point to have a conversation every day and talk about the things that were on their hearts.
4. Faith: He taught that faith in God is essential for a successful marriage and that couples should strive to grow in their faith together. How does faith come? By God’s word!
5. Forgiveness: Hagin stressed the importance of forgiveness in marriage, and taught that couples should be willing to extend grace and forgiveness to one another when mistakes are made.
60 Years of Love: The Hagins’ Marriage Secrets.
6. Prayer: He believed that prayer is an important aspect of marriage and that couples should pray together and for each other on a regular basis.
7. Husbands: Hagin taught that the husband is the head of the household and that he should lead his family in a Godly way, being responsible and taking care of their needs.
8. Wives: Hagin taught that the wife’s role is to submit to and respect her husband, and to support him in his role as head of the household.
9. Intimacy: He taught that physical intimacy is an important aspect of marriage and should be honored and protected.
10. Working together: He emphasized the importance of working together as a team in marriage, stating that couples should be willing to make sacrifices for one another and to work together to achieve their goals. He and his wife Oretha had a strong bond of unity, they were known to finish each other sentences and had a deep understanding of one another.
Take a look at these elements and apply them to your life. See if any is missing, then work at restoring them back into your relationship and marriage!
Confronting a Secretive Spouse: 9 Strategies. The story of King Henry VIII of England and his second wife, Anne Boleyn is a historical example of a secretive spouse that ended in a bad way Henry VIII was known for his secrecy and his tendency to keep things from his wives. He kept secret his desire to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and his infatuation with Anne Boleyn. He also kept secret the fact that he was having an affair with Anne’s lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour, even as Anne was pregnant with his child. Eventually, Anne was falsely accused of adultery and treason, and she was executed. Henry VIII’s secrecy and infidelity ultimately led to the downfall of his marriage to Anne and the upheaval of the entire English monarchy. A few secrets here and there resulted in many woes and agonies that are generational shifting! But this morning, let’s consider some biblical strategies!
Confronting a Secretive Spouse: 9 Strategies
What do you do with a secretive spouse? This will apply to both singles who are in relationships and those married.
Pray for your spouse
Pray for your spouse’s heart to be open and for their willingness, to be honest with you. Pray for the strength and guidance to handle the situation in a godly manner.
In Genesis 18:16-33, Abraham intercedes for his wife Sarah, asking God to bless her and make her fertile, despite her old age. Through his prayer, God fulfilled his promise and Sarah gave birth to Isaac. God answers prayers!
Communicate openly
Talk to your spouse about your concerns and feelings in a respectful and loving way. Ask them to be open and honest with you and to share their struggles.
In the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:6-13, we see the consequences of not communicating openly and honestly with one another.
Seek accountability
Encourage your spouse to seek accountability from a trusted friend, mentor, or counselor.
The story of David and Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:1-14 illustrates the importance of accountability. God sent Nathan all the way so David can have the opportunity to repent!
Practice forgiveness
Forgive your spouse for their secrecy and be willing to extend grace to them. Without forgiveness, you won’t be able to help.
The story of the prodigal son shows that forgiveness is powerful.
Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Read the Bible together
This may sound simplistic, but it is life-giving! Spend time reading the Bible and praying together. This will help to strengthen your relationship and build trust between you.
Confronting a Secretive Spouse: 9 Strategies
Attend church together
Make it a priority to attend church services together and to grow in your faith together. That will afford you a common ground for open discussions.
Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Seek help
Consider seeking the help of a counselor or therapist to work through any issues that may be affecting your relationship if you are unable to move forward. Do not keep quiet!
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Practice humility
Humble yourself and be willing to admit your own faults and mistakes. It is possible the secrecy of your spouse is fueled by your own attitudes and approach. It takes humility to admit.
James 4:6 “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Be patient
Be patient and understand that change takes time. Pray for your spouse and be willing to wait for them to change.
James 5:7-8 “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”
Confronting a Secretive Spouse: 9 Strategies
In conclusion, these nine biblical strategies can help couples confront and overcome secrets in their marriage. By following these principles, couples can work towards building a strong and lasting relationship based on trust, honesty, and transparency. It’s important to remember that marriage is a sacred bond, and by following these biblical strategies, couples can protect their relationship from the devil’s deception.
Secrets That Kill: How to Protect Your Marriage. Lizzie Borden was an American woman who was accused of the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Lizzie had kept a number of secrets from her husband, including a secret affair with an actor, and evidence suggested that she had been plotting to kill her father for some time. She also had a very strained relationship with her stepmother and her father, who mistreated her.
The tragic outcome of this case was due to the secrets Lizzie kept from her husband, and the fact that she was not able to confide in him about her problems. Those deaths could have been averted if she opened up to her husband!
Secrets That Kill: How to Protect Your Marriage
Your spouse is a support system God has created to help you out, but how do you get this support when you are secretive and averse to regular communication?
Marriage is a sacred bond between two people, and the foundation of that bond is trust and transparency. In the book of Genesis, we read that “the man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame” (Genesis 2:25).
This passage highlights the importance of being open and honest with one another in a marriage. It is a call for couples to be naked, in the sense of being vulnerable, with each other.
However, in today’s world, many couples find themselves hiding things from one another. Whether it’s a secret phone or an affair, keeping secrets can have a devastating impact on a marriage. The truth is, it takes a lot of effort to keep a secret, and that effort is often directed away from the marriage. The more you hide, the more you are opening the door to the devil to come in and destroy your marriage.
David, the king of Israel, is a prime example of this. He was a man after God’s own heart, yet he fell into the trap of adultery and murder. If he had been open and honest with his wife about his struggles, this tragic event could have been prevented.
Singles, too, should be mindful of this in courtship. If your partner is already hiding things from you, it’s a red flag that should not be ignored. Marriage will not change them, and it’s important to address these issues before taking the next step.
Honesty and transparency are key in any relationship. As a couple, it’s important to make a conscious effort to be open and sincere with each other and to seek help when needed. Remember, the devil’s greatest weapon is deception, and the more you hide, the more vulnerable you become to his attacks. Don’t let the devil come between you and your spouse, work on your relationship and be close to each other.
Secrets That Kill: How to Protect Your Marriage
Here are five steps that one can take to deal with keeping secrets in marriage:
Acknowledge the problem: The first step in dealing with keeping secrets in marriage is to acknowledge that there is a problem. Recognize that secrecy can be harmful to your relationship and that it is important to address it.
Identify the reasons: Identify the reasons why you are keeping secrets from your spouse. Are you afraid of their reaction? Are you ashamed or embarrassed? Understanding the underlying reasons can help you address the problem.
Communicate openly: Talk to your spouse about the secrets you are keeping and why you have been keeping them. Be honest and open about your feelings and concerns. Communication is key to building trust and intimacy in a marriage.
Seek professional help: If you find it difficult to talk to your spouse about the secrets you are keeping or if you need help addressing deeper issues, consider seeking professional counseling or therapy. A therapist can help you work through any issues that may be affecting your relationship.
Take action: Once you have identified the reasons for your secrecy and have communicated openly with your spouse, take action to address the problem. It could be something as simple as changing your behavior or it could involve making more significant changes in your life. The most important thing is to work together with your spouse to find a solution.
May God grant you strength and understanding to do the needful!
Say this Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come to you today to ask for your protection over our marriage. We know that keeping secrets can be harmful to our relationship. We ask that you would give us the strength and the courage to be open and honest with one another. Help us to identify the reasons why we keep secrets and to address them with love and compassion. Give us the wisdom to seek professional help when needed. Guide us to take action to address the problem and to work together to find a solution. We trust in you and ask that you would protect our marriage from the devil’s attacks. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
