Wow, this looks like Pastor Sophia and I. Interestingly, I used to be quiet growing up. I really don’t know what happened. Any idea?
In the next few days, we are going to be looking at this series on different types of couples.
We are starting with The Vocal Husband and The Quiet Wife.
I have said it over and over again, opposites will always attract. And then after the wedding, as you begin to live together, the very opposites that attracted you will now begin to repel you.
And that is when the job really begins. I am usually amused at singles who say they know each other very well. It’s amusing. I have been married for twenty-four years and I can’t say I know my wife. You may as well go and ask couples who have been married for like forty years, they will tell you the same. This doesn’t mean your spouse is mysterious, it simply means there are different aspects that unfold every day. Several treasures are buried in your spouse that only find expression as time goes on.
Back to our topic, the vocal husband uses conversation as a personal therapy, he enjoys it and is emotionally fulfilled just by talking. The downside is that he also wants to talk when he is angry, sometimes using heavy words that can cause emotional damage to his wife. When he is angry, he vents using words in other to feel okay.
On the flip side, his wife who is on the receiving side, is likely not to enjoy such words when her husband is angry. Because she is a quiet wife, she is sensitive to words. Her therapeutic method is to be quiet and she can be fulfilled not talking.
The husband hates this because he is talking and there are no commensurate responses. When the wife is angry, she easily withdraws into her cocoon, thereby frustrating her husband the more. The drama gets more intense!
In Proverbs 20:6 (KJV), the question echoes through time, resonating with those navigating the complex landscape of relationships: “Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”
The Illusion of Proclamation.
Most men will ‘toast’ you and promise you heaven and earth, but a faithful man who can find? This proclamation of virtue often masks the true essence of fidelity. As we explore this timeless challenge, it’s essential to dissect the layers beneath these surface affirmations.
Decoding ‘Faithful’: Trusty or Trustworthiness. The term ‘faithful’ finds its roots in the Greek word ’emun,’ denoting trustworthiness. Essentially, the question emerges: amidst good toasters, who can be trusted?
The Dilemma Explored.
David, in Psalm 12:1 (KJV), adds another layer to the complexity: “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”
A Quest for Good Husbands
Are there good husbands in this age? Will one ever find a man that will love God and love his wife as well? The quest for a partner embodying both godliness and spousal devotion raises its head.
Navigating Temptations.
Are there still men who will not compromise and cheat on their wives? The perennial challenge of fidelity in the face of tempting situations emerges. Can one find a man who remains faithful despite the availability of temptations?
Elijah’s Revelation.
Well, there are still faithful men! Elijah’s encounter with God reveals that amidst perceived scarcity, a multitude remains steadfast, refusing to bow to societal pressures. Trust God to lead you and don’t trust your brain and calculations alone!
Shifting Perspectives.
The danger lies in concluding that “all men are evil.” Such a mindset perpetuates a cycle, attracting the very negativity one fears.
Trusting in Divine Guidance.
There are still faithful men, and there is a man that God has for you! Trusting in divine guidance becomes pivotal. When decisions align with God’s plan, the journey to finding a faithful companion becomes clearer.
The Pitfall of Self-Will.
But if you decide to do it your own way, try to buy your way into a man’s heart by offering your body, it usually wouldn’t work out because that is not God’s order. May God grant you more wisdom.
God’s word remains the only authentic manual for living a fruitful married life and indeed every other aspect of our lives
Marriage is not meant to be lived without God. How do you get God involved in your marriage except by finding out of His word says in every different aspect?
The issue of forgiveness is very crucial in marriage. We must guide ourselves on how to handle hurts and offenses such that they don’t degenerate into bitterness and finally get to a point where your spirit is closed against your spouse.
Marriage is a union that is meant to multiply our strength. One is meant to chase a thousand and two of us in marriage put ten thousand to flight.
Yet marriage is the place where most offenses occur, mostly because of temperamental differences, background differences, and male/ female differences.
Pressures of different sorts occur in marriage. Unmet expectations, challenges, and changes happen in marriage and all these cause the very foundation of our marriage to be shaken. Arming ourselves with the right knowledge and getting the strength to help us navigate this aspect of our marital journey is very important.
That hurts will not come is living in a fool’s paradise. Let’s look at what God’s word says
2 Cor 6:3 Giving no offence in anything, … We are to make sure we are not easily offended. Don’t easily be offended. Grow a thick skin to being offended. Holding offenses is not even good for our health.
Learn to let go quickly. I know it is not an easy pill to swallow. I also know, that depending on the magnitude of the offense, it becomes really hard to let go. Yet God’s word must be obeyed.
Matt 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Offenses MUST come. This is a reality in marriage. We are not expecting it but we are armed with how to handle offenses quickly when they show up.
I think that is a fair way to live.
Let’s look at what God’s word has to say about forgiveness
Matt 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses
If we don’t forgive from our hearts, we stand the risk of having God holding our shortcomings against us. We are always in need of the mercy of God. So one of the reasons we forgive our spouse is because we also offend God in so many ways and want Him to forgive us. God counts it sheer wickedness, if we want God to forgive us and yet we withhold mercy from our covenant partner. Forgiveness is a show of Mercy that we give to the offender. When we show mercy to others we will also receive mercy.
I will stop here this morning. It is my prayer that God will grant us the Grace to forgive each other in marriage in Jesus’ mighty name.
In life, individuals, whether single or married, grapple with challenges that test their commitment to God’s path. Let’s explore the stories of Sally, John, Mr & Mrs Balley, and decipher the common thread that binds their struggles.
Sally is a church girl. She goes to church regularly, belongs to the choir, and serves God passionately, but she is also caught up with some habitual sins, which she has not been able to confront for a long time.
John is the fellowship head of his campus fellowship but has sexual relationships with some of the flock he is supposed to keep. He knows his lifestyle doesn’t please God, but he would find himself from time to time doing what he preaches against.
Mr & Mrs Balley want to serve God and they are doing all they can. It is just that they are both compromisers, they are seeing someone else. They know it is wrong, but they continue, thinking that somehow, things will just work out.
Watch Today’s Devotional With Captions
What is common with these people?
They are all involved with what is not going to work. They are all hoping God’s mercy will work for them, and really it will work for a while.
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1 KJV)
1. Recognizing the Invitation
Isaiah 55:1 extends an invitation—one that doesn’t require money but a thirsty heart. The principle embedded here is profound: the first step to a successful life, relationship, or marriage is to crave the things of God. Like buying water, wine, and milk without money, investing time and sincerity into God’s word is the key.
2. Thirst for God’s Word
Your legitimate thirst for a fulfilling life, a thriving marriage, and the finer things is acknowledged. However, the solution lies not in temporary gratification but in seeking the waters of God’s word. Quenching your soul’s thirst requires dedication and a heart turned toward God, not indulging in fleeting pleasures.
3. The Pitfall of Compromise
Sally, John, and Mr & Mrs Balley share a common misstep—they hope for God’s mercy while compromising. The invitation isn’t to quench your thirst in worldly traps but in the pure waters of God’s wisdom. Compromise may offer temporary relief, but true satisfaction lies in aligning with God’s principles.
4. Buying Rightly: A Heart Unto God
To navigate life successfully, you must buy rightly—with a sincere heart devoted to God. Spending time in God’s word becomes the currency for acquiring the revelations needed for your journey. The hunger for significance, wealth, and thriving marriage is pacified by honoring God’s invitation, not through fleeting relationships.
5. Honoring God’s Invitation
The emptiness, loneliness, and yearning for more find fulfillment in honoring God’s invitation. Seek His wisdom, not in temporary fixes, but in the enduring principles laid out in His word. Whether single or married, the key to lasting satisfaction is found in quenching your thirst with the eternal waters of divine guidance.
Conclusion: Embracing the Everlasting Solution
In the narratives of Sally, John, and Mr & Mrs Balley, we witness the struggles of those entangled in compromises. The enduring solution lies in recognizing the divine invitation, thirsting for God’s word, and buying rightly with a heart devoted to Him.
In the journey of matrimony, your words are more than mere expressions; they are catalysts for change. God, a speaking spirit, designed us to release creative power through speech. Don’t shy away—speak with wisdom, propelling your husband to take giant strides. Ensure you use the power of words to steer your marriage in the right direction by choosing to speak respectfully and with wisdom to your husband
7. Avoid Silence, Be a Person of Influence
While being a person of few words is commendable, silence has no place in your relationship. Don’t be a piece of furniture; instead, be a strategic communicator. Your role as a helper is amplified when your words are infused with wisdom and purpose.
8. The Power of Genuine Prayer
As a helpmeet, embrace the role of an intercessor. Connect with God on behalf of your husband, bringing his burdens and dreams to the divine realm. In genuine intercession, you’ll find a source of strength that transcends the earthly realm.
9. Crafting a Haven: The Art of Homemaking
Wives are natural multipliers; utilize this creative power to enhance your husband’s life. Transform your house into a home, a place of peace and rejuvenation. Let your homemaking skills become a testament to your love and commitment.
10. In His Shoes: Understanding Every Aspect
To truly be a part of your husband’s life, delve into every aspect of it. Understand his finances, relationships, challenges, dreams, and more. Whether accompanying him physically or supporting from afar, be intimately involved in his journey. Do not be emotionally detached!
Acknowledge the unique role you play in managing your husband’s passions. In marriage, find creative ways to satisfy his needs, ensuring anticipation and excitement. This role is exclusive to you—embrace it with love and openness.
In embracing expressive communication, heartfelt prayer, and active involvement, you become the architect of a flourishing marriage. May understanding and love continue to thrive in your relationship.
