We are used to instant victory. Indomie noddles kind of thing.
Even in natural things, nothing just happens. There are no instant millionaires.
In a weight loss programme, it’s easier to gain weight than it is to lose it.
You gain more calories by eating cakes, pastries, and ice cream. You will have to work out for hours and days to lose what you have gained.
My point is, you cannot have an instant weight loss or anything for that matter.
In the same way, we cannot expect instant victory over where we have been defeated before. It takes time and effort.
The Power of Incremental Progress
Some of us have been used to a certain way of thinking and doing things (in a negative way).
We have learned certain bad habits that are not making our marriage work out.
We shout, lie, are selfish and self-centered, we are bossy, we nag, we are lazy, we are insincere, we are not trustworthy, we unnecessarily keep quiet and withdraw, and the list goes on.
It took you years to get to that point and then you are expecting an instant change.
Deu 7:22 And the Lord your God will clear out those nations before you, little by little; you may not consume them quickly, lest the beasts of the field increase among you.
Deu 7:23 But the Lord your God will give them over to you and will confuse them with a mighty panic until they are destroyed.
The Power of Incremental Progress
This is God talking to us. He says your victory will come ‘little by little’.
I feel this little-by-little victory causes us to be sober and keeps us coming to God holding on to Him and looking up to Him for His Mercy.
I believe ‘ the beast of the field’ among us is PRIDE.
Where we feel, ‘ Yes, I can press the button, and …the victory comes.
Remember it took Jesus, dying on the cross to give us this victory. It was a great price.
So don’t get discouraged on your journey to making your marriage beautiful.
Pro 23:18 For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward], and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.
God has promised you victory. He has promised that your expectations will not be cut off.
That marriage will be blissful.
That husband will love you.
That wife will be supportive and submissive.
Those children will be obedient and together as a family you will enjoy prosperity. You will move forward. You will increase.
That contract will come through.
God bless your marriage.
Rev. Sophia Okunowo
Giving & Partnership with Ministry Kisses and Huggs Club MONIEPOINT: 8247660079 GTB:0150088032
I started this topic a while ago and I will be concluding it today.
Let me quickly summarize the 6 points.
Communication issues
Financial strain
Emotional Compatibility
Intimacy and Sexuality
Conflict Resolution
Balancing individuality
7. In-law issues
Another challenge faced by married couples in their marriage is managing in-law issues. Some in-laws can be really troublesome, others over sensitive while others could just be selfish. Whichever category your in-laws fall into, they should be treated with a lot of wisdom and tact. Always remember to treat in-laws with understanding knowing you will be an in-law someday. The bottom line is, to protect your spouse, defend them, and don’t expose them.
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8. Parenting
Not knowing how to raise children is definitely a challenge. Differing parenting styles and decisions. Both couples are to discuss and agree on the parenting model they should adopt in their family.
9. Life-Work Balance
Creating a balance between work, family and personal time between couples can be a threat to the marriage. Couples who work for several hours or live apart should discuss how best to adapt. There should be a good balance between all three or it will take a toll on the marriage and the children
10. Other Stressor
Every other factor that disturbs the peace and unity of the marriage comes under this category. Things like health, societal pressure, job changes, peer pressure, and ignorance are a few of the external stressors that can impact the marriage negatively.
In conclusion, a successful marriage requires open communication, compromise, and a commitment to working through these challenges together. Challenges are meant to be overcome.
Not forgetting to seek help through books, seminars, therapy, and mentors for difficult issues.
Are You Finding It Difficult To Forgive? Joyce Meyer said in her commentary of the Amplified Bible that she wondered and asked the Lord one day why is it that people come back in the line after they have been prayed for that they have difficulty forgiving.
They were miserable, back at the same spot they were. She found out that it mostly had to do with the difficulty in forgiving offenders,
If you are like that, In your life you wonder why you have so many issues with an unforgiving spirit.
You are right back where you were. Unable to forgive that man or woman.
Are You Finding It Difficult To Forgive?
It can even be your husband or wife. Or someone really close. Parents, siblings, or friends. Betrayal or feelings of being betrayed can be very hurting.
You genuinely want to forgive. You try hard to forgive but yet you find it difficult to forgive.
You pray to God for strength to forgive but yet it is difficult.
There are some forgiveness that are easy but there are some that are just very difficult.
And yet forgiveness is essential to your moving forward and your prosperity.
Forgiveness is so important that God will wait for you. It is an important lesson we all have to learn and pass.
The Lord said to Joyce Meyer, It is because they don’t fully obey the word. The Bible says you forgive those who persecute you and bless them.
The blessing is the other part they do not do. They feel blessing them is praying for them to be prosperous.
When the bible says to bless, it is talking about praying for them to be spiritually empowered with the ability to change their attitude.
Are You Finding It Difficult To Forgive?
It is praying for them to have a change of heart.
To see their wrong attitude.
Pray for their change of heart.
When you pray for them you have the release you need to forgive.
You forgive from your heart, and then you find healing and strength for yourself!
It is no doubt that everyone married knows that marriage come with some challenges. It is either you are facing a particular challenge now, you have just overcome a challenge or you will pass through a challenge in future. Everyone will have to face one form of marital challenge or the other.
It is not the challenges that are the issue, but how we handle or face them. Our perspective about them and how prepared we are with enough wisdom to face them is what really matters.
Challenges are champions’ meat. What break some, are what make others.
Apostle Paul affirm.and confirms that there are marital troubles
1 Corinthians 7:28 KJV But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
As believers, God expects us to soar above these challenges of life as much as we do our marriage.
Identifying these challenges can help us in facing them head long.
Here are some marital issues
1. Communication issues
This is definitely a major baggage in marriage that has to be handled very wisely. The presence of this issue, could be a blessing in disguise drawing couples closer if handled wisely. If not, poor communication can lead to misunderstanding, conflicts, emptional.distance, unfulfilled life, strife, constant quarrels, unhappiness, frustrations, delay and the list goes on.
Communication is the bedrock of any marriage, and I believe any couple who desires to make meaningful impact should concentrate and focus on getting this foundation right. Not doing this can mean they are building their marriage on sand.
Couples that have communication issues should settle down with the Holy Spirit and find lasting solution rather than accusing and blaming each other.
2. Financial strain
Finances is also very important in marriage. How much of it is available, how it is being managed and multiplied can be an issue.
When there is no financial fulfillment it could be a real challenge. The couples should talk about this and learn some basic principles of money. They should take steps towards financial freedom mentally, spiritually, physically and otherwise. They should be financially intelligent to avoid the strain caused by finances
Ten Marriage Profiles Built To Last Part 2. We started yesterday with this beautiful topic and I will continue from where we stopped.
Yesterday, my husband wrote on
a. The praying couple
b. The calling couple.
c. The exchanging couple
d. The sharing couple
e. The encouraging couple.
I will write on five more this morning
We need to understand that we (husbands and wives) are building a name and a legacy. What you build and how you build matters.
Ten Marriage Profiles Built To Last Part 2
6. The Building Couples
Since our words, thoughts, and actions are like building materials, what we should ask ourselves is what type of materials am I using to build and what am I building? Apart from building a “good family”. We should also build up ourselves. Is your wife a better person, a better businesswoman? Is your husband a better man, a better leader? Better than when you first met them?
7. The Defending Couples
Couples should defend each other no matter what. Why? Because they are one. Defend yourselves spirit, soul, and body. Defend financially, socially, emotionally. Know that when you defend your spouse, you defend yourself. When you throw your spouse away as rubbish, you find yourself naked when you need a covering.
8. The Growing Couples
There is a beauty that comes when couples grow together till old age. They have held on to each other and grew over the years. They have grown mentally, and emotionally and have matured together. They have grown on wealth, experience, and wisdom. Give allowance for each other to grow.
Ten Marriage Profiles Built To Last Part 2
9. The investing Couples
Little drops of water become a mighty ocean. Little investment of time, love, affection, understanding, right words are investments that yield great dividends later on. Let’s invest in our marriage, our children, and in ourselves.
10. The Laughing Couples
Laughter is so important in building that last. It is what makes us enjoy while we build. It gives us memories that bring about joy. Don’t let us be uptight. Let’s take time to laugh and have fun.
