Sometime last week during my Bible study time, I came across the following Scripture:
"Walk about Zion, and go round about her, number her towers (her lofty and noble deeds of past days), Consider well her ramparts, go through her palaces and citadels, that you may tell the next generation [and cease recalling disappointments]." (Psalm 48:12-13, Amplified)
That last phrase "cease recalling disappointments" just about hit me right between my eyes, so I immediately copied it down across the top of my Bible reading log sheet.
What a powerful reminder to look ahead, and when we do look back, to remember the good things. I think as humans, we too easily remember the negative; we gravitate to it.
The main reason I believe that spoke so loudly to me, is that oftentimes in my prayer time, I'm complaining about marital problems. (Can you relate?) I pretty strongly believe in keeping my frustrations between me, my husband, God and our pastor (in marital counseling), so unfortunately (or fortunately- depending on how you look at it!), God gets most of it! But the problem is that I'm spending so much time meditating on the latest thing I feel my husband did wrong. You know, how he didn't spend enough time with us this week, he forgot to take out the trash...stupid stuff. But God is telling me "Stop that! Look around! Think of the fun things you did together on your last date...think of the financial triumphs that have happened this year!" Something else. Anything else- just "cease recalling disappointments".
So, that is my goal from now on. Sure, stuff will probably come up that needs to be dealt with in prayer...but I'm not going to stay there. I'm going to give it over to God, and then move on. Remember something great.
What happy thought can you think about your marriage today?
ohhhh! I really needed to hear that! I was really good at keeping things, like you, between hubby, God, and pastor. That was when we lived far from family. A few years back, we lived with my parents for a few months while moving across the country and we now live just an hour away. I really struggle now - I find myself venting to my mom a lot. She is helpful on that she reminds me how petty things are, but we end up both complaining and that isn't good.
ReplyDeleteOne good thing: My hubby works so hard so that I can stay home with the kids. He loves us very much and is often much more patient with the boys than I am.
Hi Becky---
ReplyDeleteI so needed to read this---sometimes I don't only voice my disappointments in marriage to God alone, sometimes I do it out loud...yuck.
I am writing out Psalm 48:12-13 on my chalkboard in the kitchen.
I found another saying from another blog this morning as well!
My happy thought is how Mark has surprised me throughout our 21 year (wow, cannot believe we have been married this long!) marriage with flowers, love note, trips and spontaneous kisses/hugs.
Those are good enough for me to remember ;)
Thank you!
I love your heart. Real, open, honest.
Hugs to you as you make your home today!
me
Yay! I'm so glad that my blog is helping people! That's kind of humbling (is that a word?) Anyway- thank you both for the encouraging words. It means a lot.
ReplyDeletePS- I love that my husband will go out at a moment's notice to pick up something from the store. He's a real trooper. :)