Top 56 Valuable Lessons from the 56-Year Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer
Joyce and Dave Meyer have been married for over 56 years. In their Video, Talk It Out, they share candidly about the highs and lows of their journey together. Joyce notes early on in their 5-date courtship, they didn’t truly know each other. Yet through divine intervention, they found themselves bonded for life.
Based on this conversation with celebrated life coach and bestselling author Joyce Meyer and her husband Dave, here are some invaluable insights on how to build a strong, God-honoring marriage.
1. Joyce and Dave Meyer discuss the ups and downs of their early marriage and how their thinking has changed over the years.
2. Dave knew marriage was forever so he never thought about changing Joyce or leaving if things didn’t improve.
3. They had to learn about each other through experiences and God helped Dave deal with difficult situations. Over decades, Joyce and Dave Meyer learned to accept each other fully as God designed.
4. Dave applies relevant scriptures like Ephesians 5:28 to situations rather than dwelling on problems.
5. Joyce explains she came from a difficult childhood which manifested in erratic, emotionally volatile behaviors in their first years of marriage. She recalls giving Dave the silent treatment for weeks at a time when upset.
6. Dave remained steadfast, understanding where Joyce’s hurt originated while navigating ups and downs to learn about her. He displayed remarkable strength and commitment to their vows.
Common Mistakes in Marriage.
7. Trying to change your spouse instead of letting them be who they are. Realizing their unique qualities complement one another affirms God’s plan for oneness in marriage.
8. Joyce acknowledges trying to change Dave was misguided since transformation must come from within.
9. From the start, Dave viewed marriage as permanent, avoiding the “threat” mindset some have of changing or divorcing a spouse.
10. Focusing on what’s wrong with your spouse instead of what’s right is a common mistake.
11. Thinking you have to be happy for your spouse to be happy instead of each being responsible for their own happiness.
Handling Differences of Opinion.
12. It’s normal to have different opinions and likes in a marriage.
13. Compromise by allowing each person to decorate their own space.
14. It’s okay to disagree as long as you don’t think your spouse is wrong for having a different view.
15. Joyce recommends couples make a side-by-side list of each other’s positive and negative traits. For her and Dave, the good vastly outweighed the bad. By shifting mental focus to a spouse’s virtues, small flaws seem insignificant.
Dealing with Financial Disagreements.
16. Joyce and Dave Meyer advised that you talk through finances and goals before marriage to avoid surprises.
17. Needs can change over time so revisit financial agreements.
18. Understand each other’s perspectives and fears around money.
Dave’s Experience with Saving Money as a Youth.
19. Dave shares how he learned the value of saving money from a young age. He explains how at 16 years old, he saved one thousand dollars cutting grass and selling items to buy his first car.
20. Dave emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spending money on important goals.
Accepting Each Other as God Made Us.
21. Joyce and Dave Meyer are different. Dave is more logical while Joyce processes things verbally.
22. One frequent source of disagreement between spouses is having differing communication styles.
23. Joyce mentioned how she likes to verbally process situations by talking through all the angles, while Dave prefers a more direct, logical approach. It’s not that either way is wrong, but recognizing these distinctions is important. They’ve realized God made them this way and focusing on each other’s strengths has helped.
24. When Joyce was unhappy, Dave modeled finding joy regardless through stable faith.
25. As Christians, we are not to let others dictate our moods but lead by example. Joyce was inspired to mirror Dave’s contentment.
26. Misunderstandings often arise when partners don’t understand each other’s methods of thinking and reasoning through problems.
27. Surrender fully to God’s design for oneness. Appreciate differences as completing each other.
28. Apply biblical solutions in tough times, not human reasoning. Prioritize your spouse’s well-being through humility, patience, and consistent prayer.
We will continue with Part 2 of Top 56 Valuable Lessons from the 56-Year Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer tomorrow.
In life, there are moments when it feels like everything is falling apart. Times when doubt creeps in, and it seems like there’s no way out. Marital problems, challenging relationships, and seemingly endless struggles can leave us feeling trapped and hopeless. It’s in these moments that some people give up on hope and stop praying. They start to believe that there is no way out. Job searches become futile, and well-meaning individuals reinforce the idea that there’s no brighter future. But is it the end of the road?
Embracing Hope Amidst Adversity
When multiple voices join in, all echoing the same sentiment that there’s no help from God, what should you do? Even when it feels like God has abandoned you, and others question your faith, there’s a message of hope to be found.
The 3rd Psalm, verse 2 (KJV) speaks to this very issue, “Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.”
When your circumstances push you to the brink, it’s easy to feel abandoned by God. You may have even asked yourself, “God, where are you?”
But, let me convey a message of hope to you today. The very next verse, Psalm 3:3 (KJV), reads, “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
It’s crucial to remember that God’s perspective is different from human judgment.
Dear Pastor, Is There A Way Out For Me?
The Power of Faith
No matter what others say, with God, all odds can be overcome. The Lord serves as your shield, your source of glory, and the one who will lift your head. When people try to lift your head, they will soon realize it’s a job reserved for Jehovah alone. Men may believe they cannot offer any help, but the Lord is different.
The distinction between “God” and “Lord” is deliberate. If God is your Lord, you can find solace knowing that it’s only a matter of time before He lifts your head. “God” is a universal term, but “Lord” signifies a personal commitment.
When you declare, “He is my Lord,” you are affirming that He is your owner. You belong to Him, and He will lift your head in every area where it’s bowed. In times of struggle and shame, God will intervene.
God is the lifter of your head, and you’re destined for victory.
Just think about Joseph, who went from being a prisoner to a prime minister.
Consider Rahab, a harlot who became the great-grandmother of Jesus.
David, a shepherd boy, and forgotten sibling, rose to become a king.
Jabez became more honorable when God lifted his head. Even an illiterate Nigerian bread seller was featured on CNN after God intervened.
When God raises your head, remarkable transformations occur. The possibilities are endless, and God’s blessings know no bounds.
Dear Pastor, Is There A Way Out For Me?
A New Beginning
What can’t God do? Your life is about to take a new turn. Doors will open, jobs will become realities, and promotions will follow. Your wedding day is on the horizon, and the right partner will find you. Your marriage will be great and beautiful. You will hold your children in your arms. When God lifts your head, no one can bring it down.
Believe it. From today, the hand of the Lord will be evident in your life. Rejoice, for a new chapter is beginning in the name of Jesus.
What should come together before the wedding are the souls, in the place of beautiful conversation, healthy chats, romantic exchanges of words, making plans for the future, and envisioning the future together.
Speaking in tongues should not replace speaking loving words to each other.
Both are very important.
The Intersection of Romance and Spirituality
Speaking loving words to your lover should not replace speaking loving words to your creator.
Both are lovers.
God is the lover of your soul, your dear one is the lover of your body!
God loves you to speak loving words to Him.
Your lover craves loving words to be spoken to him or her.
After you have prayed, make sure you also play with your loved one!
There must be a balance of the romantic and the spiritual in order to keep your love life going and in order to make a relationship lead to marriage.
Speaking loving words to each other will keep false assumptions away.
Speaking in tongues will keep demonic influence away.
Speaking loving, romantic words to each other adds strength to your love life.
Speaking in tongues adds strength to your inner man.
With your love life, you fight doubt and insecurities.
With your inner man, you fight and wade off attacks of the enemy.
That is why the scripture emphasizes that romance alone will not deliver.
The Intersection of Romance and Spirituality
Rom 14:17 (KJV) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
That is, if you want to bring the kingdom of God into your relationship or marriage, it is not in meat and drink alone, it is not in ice cream and cinema outings alone, it is also in right living, in Shalom, and in the Holy Spirit
Do you get it?
That he is handsome alone would not be enough, can he speak in tongues?
That she has hot legs alone would not suffice, does she have a hot heart as well?
I will stop here this morning!
Have you registered for the free webinar on my 51st birthday yet? Check it out below!
It is important as young people, and also as people trusting God for marital bliss to keep your focus on God. That is how things are going to work. Why focus on God and on God’s word?
Here it is:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. –Hebrews 12:2-3 (KJV)
Looking unto Jesus! Why the focus? You see it right there. He is the author and the finisher. Your life is like a book. Each year is like a chapter. 2022 is a chapter. It has been authored. He has authored great and mighty things about your life!
So you have to focus on Him in order to be consistent with what is in the book concerning your relationship life. In that book, there is no compromise, no fornication, or any other form of sexual perversion. So you must abstain from all these in order to have your destiny aligned with His plan for your life!
I want you to read verse 3 carefully in The Message Translation:
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! –Hebrews 12:3 (MSG)
At those times when you get weak along the way, and your faith begins to flag, you focus on Him and His word, read it and study it, meditate on it and you will get some shots of adrenaline to your soul!
This day, I pray for you, God will strengthen you and honour you as you focus on Him in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I acknowledge you Lord as the Lord over my life, I say today that you are the most important person in my life and relationship
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Father, in Jesus’ name I ask for a heart that loves and worships you. Make my focus be on you continually, Lord.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. –Hebrews 12:2-3 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Make a commitment to spent time daily in prayers, worship, and reading God’s word. Also start attending a good bible believing church.
Let’s look at this scripture below well. We will see the faith process. Whether you are believing God for babies, contract, prosperity, or general well-being the process of faith must be completed.
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. –Mark 11:23 (KJV)
Let me analyze the faith process here.
1. You must speak to your mountain. Don’t speak about it, speak to it. Address it because you have authority.
2. Speak and give direction to the mountain.
3. Don’t allow doubt in your heart.
4. Believe that you have what you SAY.
5. Then, You will have what you say.
6. Thank God in advance. The faith process is not complete until you thank God by faith for your answers.
The big question is, what are you saying about the situation you are trusting God to see changes?
Do you pray? Declare God’s word and then begin to worry?
Its time as believers to begin to exercise our faith against the attacks of the enemy. Any issue the enemy brings our way is an attack on our faith.
We can deal with the enemy by exercising our faith.
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. –Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
With our shield of faith we quench every fiery darts the wicked one throws at us.
When we have issues in our marriage, issues with our spouse, or our in-laws, it is not the person that is the issue. It is the wicked one stirring up issues to steal your joy, peace, prosperity and health.
Rise up in the authority of the Lord and hold up the shield of faith against the fiery darts of the wicked one. There is victory on the other side of faith.
God bless your marriage in Jesus name.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I have faith in God, my words align with what I believe God for
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray and ask God to give the grace to be steadfast in faith
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. –Romans 1:17 (KJV)
