Many couples get married with the idea that their spouse is
responsible for making them happy. Unfortunately, when the other spouse
fails to live up to their expectations, a breakdown in the marriage
begins. "Well, they're supposed to make me happy, aren't they?" To some
degree you're correct. But the problem comes in when you expect them to
make you happy. It's your expectations of the other person that pushes
the demolition ball into motion.
If each spouse would instead lay down their expectations of what they want out of marriage, and take on the mind set of "I'm going to make my mate happy even if it's not reciprocated", then perhaps marriage success stories would out number the increasing divorce rate among Christians.
Look at it this way, Christian marriage is a ministry and you are the minister. The word minister means to serve. You must forget about what your spouse is and is not doing, and do what your Heavenly Father requires of you. Start ministering to your mate today by demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Minister to them when they've gotten on your last nerve, minister to them, when you've had it up to here. Minister to them when your flesh is screaming they don't deserve you.
"But you don't know my spouse", you say. Your right, I don't know your spouse but I do know that love covers a multitude of sins. I also know that if you took this approach, it would please your Heavenly Father. Now, isn't that what it's all about? Pleasing your Heavenly Father. And all this time you thought it was about you.
If each spouse would instead lay down their expectations of what they want out of marriage, and take on the mind set of "I'm going to make my mate happy even if it's not reciprocated", then perhaps marriage success stories would out number the increasing divorce rate among Christians.
Look at it this way, Christian marriage is a ministry and you are the minister. The word minister means to serve. You must forget about what your spouse is and is not doing, and do what your Heavenly Father requires of you. Start ministering to your mate today by demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Minister to them when they've gotten on your last nerve, minister to them, when you've had it up to here. Minister to them when your flesh is screaming they don't deserve you.
"But you don't know my spouse", you say. Your right, I don't know your spouse but I do know that love covers a multitude of sins. I also know that if you took this approach, it would please your Heavenly Father. Now, isn't that what it's all about? Pleasing your Heavenly Father. And all this time you thought it was about you.
Wanda Collins and M J Collins,
Nehemiah Family Ministries
http://www.Christian-Marriage-Today.com
Free Advice and Help for Your Christian Marriage
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wanda_Collins
Nehemiah Family Ministries
http://www.Christian-Marriage-Today.com
Free Advice and Help for Your Christian Marriage
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