
28 Oct Your Marriage Is As Good As You
If a marriage is sick, it tells the state of the couple. If it is healthy, it means the couple is healthy. No marriage can grow beyond the couple, that is a sure fact. Every husband and wife will bring into the marriage whoever he or she is.
The only way to make any marriage healthy is for the couple to ensure that they are healthy. I do not mean physical growth here; I mean spiritual growth that affects the emotions, character, attitude, choices, decisions, perspectives, words, and actions of both the husband and the wife.
The Preacher, His Son, The World, And His Sermon
I heard the story of a preacher and his son that would help illustrate what I mean.
This preacher was in his study trying to get his sermon ready for the next day Sunday. His young son kept coming to the door and making distracting demands on him. He thought very hard on how to keep the boy busy long enough to give him time to tidy up his preparation. He finally came up with a page in a magazine with the a picture of the world map, he tore the page out, tore it in very tiny bits and gave to his son saying, “Son fix the world map and I will give you a quarter.”
Satisfied that he had given the boy very long and difficult task, he went back in to continue his sermon. Just as he was about settling down, he heard a knock that almost jolted him as he was not expecting that knock until at least an hour had passed. He rushed to the door only to find that the boy had actually “fixed” the man.
Curious and surprised he asked his little son how he was able to do it in almost no time, the boy replied, “Dad, I found a man behind and I figured that if I fixed the man, his world would be alright.”
The man gave the boy what he promised, and went back in to rewrite his sermon; his son had just given him a more inspirational message to preach on Sunday.
How Is Your Spirit?
Just like the boy figured, I believe too that when a husband and wife are all right spiritually, their marriage would be all right, all round. The focus of couples should then be on how to develop a healthy spirit and maintain it too. They should always ensure that they are growing in their walk with God and they are dying daily to flesh. They should ensure that they are developing godly character on a regular basis, working on their weaknesses and growing on their strengths. When this becomes their focus, their marriage will not suffer from the pressure of the enemy.
How To Maintain A Healthy Spirit
-Feed on the word of God with the aim of getting transformed daily
-Read the Bible using it as a mirror to know how your spirit looks
-Do topical studies on issues you are struggling with
-Spend time talking with God every day
-Spend time in God’s presence, so that your flesh will be subdued
-Work hard at developing and improving your love walk with God and man
-Note the areas your spouse have been complaining of and make deliberate efforts to stop or improve on them
-Never get complacent with your faith
I believe that if every husband and wife will take care of their spiritual health, their marriages will be taken care of. Your prosperity in every area of life including your marriage is directly proportional to the prosperity of your soul and spirit.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2
Do you know that your spiritual health affects the health off your marriage? Are you making deliberate efforts to improve on your spiritual health and marriage?
Copyright© Ugochi Oritsejolomisan 2013
Photo Credit: Retina 2048
channel of virtue
Posted at 14:46h, 19 Novemberkeep it up. I really like this.
Ugochi Jolomi
Posted at 07:56h, 20 NovemberGod be praised!
Esther Onimisi
Posted at 14:43h, 07 NovemberBless you ma. You are an amazing woman of God and the depth of revelation God is giving you is mind blowing. How our spiritual health affects our marriage, and it is very easy, infact so easy to miss this link as believers. What a reality check for us. Our spiritual health affects every thing about us and like you quoted 3 John 2. God wants us to prosper in all things.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Thanks ma for an amazing post. Have a glorious day. Lol.
Ugochi Jolomi
Posted at 13:54h, 11 NovemberThanks to God ma, He desires us to be healthy all round and our spiritual health is the key. Thanks for being a constant blessing and encouragement. Do have a super day ma! Waiting to see you!
Connie Arnold
Posted at 23:37h, 31 OctoberThat is a good illustration, and what you say is true. The spiritual health of a couple helps to form a healthy marriage, especially when God is at the center of that marriage. Lovely post!
Ugochi Jolomi
Posted at 23:50h, 31 OctoberThanks Connie! I appreciate your coming by and leaving this note. Do have a super blessed weekend!
Love
Beth
Posted at 17:52h, 30 OctoberWhat a sweet, yet powerful story, Ugochi! That’s so true, when we go to the man behind our world, He does set everything right! I’m going to remember that story! I also really appreciate your second to last suggestion, to work on the areas where your spouse has complained about you. That really gets to the heart of the matter, even if we disagree with our spouse or our spouse is wrong, because it softens our hearts, humbles us and that’s exactly when God can work His best. Thanks for this wise word to all of us, my friend!
Ugochi Jolomi
Posted at 18:08h, 30 OctoberTrue Beth, humility puts us in a place where God can make the best out of us.
Thanks a lot for coming by and sharing your thoughts, do have a super blessed day!
Love
Joseph Pote
Posted at 12:08h, 30 OctoberThere is certainly no doubt that the health of a marriage relationship is a function of the spiritual health of the two individuals in the marriage. However, you’ve only told half the story. In a reasonably healthy marriage, both partners seek God’s help in honoring their marriage vows. In an abusive marriage, one partner seeks, instead, to use the vows as a tool to manipulate and control their partner.
Yes, the health of the individuals determines the health of the marriage…but we can only address our own health. We can pray for an abusive partner’s health, but God will not violate their free will. He only heals those who want to be healed.
Blessings to you, Ugochi!
Ugochi Jolomi
Posted at 12:11h, 30 OctoberVery true! Here I address both spouse; man and wife. Because no marriage involves one person alone.
Thanks for coming by Joseph, have a super blessed day!
Rosey
Posted at 13:05h, 30 OctoberI do pray regularly, and read the word, and ask God for help to be the best wife I can be. I also pray regularly for my husband who does not believe, and finds my faith ridiculous. It’s hard to be yoked to a non-believer, but it was a decision I made in my youth, long before I got close to God, and I have faith my husband will be touched. My behavior and spiritual soundness in the marriage is important because if I lose it, it can affect my testimony. I pray often for that not to happen.
Ugochi Jolomi
Posted at 13:14h, 30 OctoberThis is a very tough place to be, but God does reward faithfulness and obedience. I am so inspired by your stand and I believe others who read your comment here would be too. Your love and prayers for your husband will not go unanswered. I will also join you in prayers.
Rosey
Posted at 01:47h, 31 OctoberThank you, I was hoping you would offer that, and it is very kind of you!! I have people all over the place praying for him, and I have faith the time will come. It will be a wonderful day!!
Ugochi Jolomi
Posted at 10:09h, 31 OctoberIt is a privilege Rosey. Amen, I believe also!
Tosin
Posted at 19:41h, 29 OctoberGreat illustration. Change is indeed personal and it starts from within. It is what we are in the inside that spills outwards . God bless you real good sis.
Ugochi Jolomi
Posted at 08:47h, 30 October“It is what we are in the inside that spills outwards .” Very true indeed!
Thanks for coming by and leaving this note. Do have a super blessed day!
Love
Andrea
Posted at 13:31h, 29 OctoberNice post. I totally agree with you on taking care of my spiritual health so that I can be a better everything – spouse, mother, daughter, etc. It is definitely a work in progress with much room for growth.
Ugochi Jolomi
Posted at 14:20h, 29 OctoberIt is a work in progress I agree…
Thanks a lot for coming by, do have a super blessed day!
Love
Dawn St Amand Paoletta
Posted at 17:02h, 28 OctoberGreat post…great story.
Ugochi Jolomi
Posted at 14:19h, 29 OctoberPraise God!
Thanks for coming by, do have a super blessed day!
Love