Reminding Your Spouse that God Is Faithful

Faith / Marriage Michelle Lindsey December 30, 2013

Life can be overwhelming.

We have recently added four extra kids to our household. My sweet nieces are here while their parents get some things sorted out and settled. This has been a huge change for everyone involved, and has made it challenging to get much done other than cooking and cleaning. We are happy to have them here, but it’s a lot of work, and very stressful at times. But I know this is all in God’s timing, and that good will come of it.

Still, it’s a huge shock to go from four to eight kids in one day, and it requires us to regroup and change how we do things. Not only that, but there is a lot of emotional energy being used due to the seriousness of the situation.

As I was driving to town yesterday, I felt like I was going to cry. I was letting everything get to me and I was struggling with anxiety and fear. The unknown is always something I have disliked. I want to know what is coming around the bend, but life usually doesn’t cooperate that way. I couldn’t snap out of my mood, no matter how hard I tried to talk to myself about it. My car seems to be the place I have my cry sessions, and I think it’s because I can’t distract myself with other things. I was buckled in with my racing thoughts, so I just gave up and cried my head off.

Facing things side by side

I arrived at my destination and sent my husband a text. I told him that I felt sad and moderately terrified. He has been a great support to me in the middle of all of the chaos, so I was surprised when he responded that also felt like crying while driving home from work. I was stunned because he is pretty tough when it comes to high levels of stress.

He then sent me a text that said, “It’s OK, we have each other.”

That made things feel a lot less intimidating. I knew that if we were in it together, we would be able to navigate our way though. If we were side by side, then we could face whatever was coming at us head on. I calmed down a little and was able to gain some much needed perspective.

Even though we are in the middle of a tough season, we are being drawn closer to each other. Instead of working alone, we are in the fight together. This makes all of the difference in the world, especially when I feel like throwing in the towel. I was glad my husband was honest with me and told me that he also felt a bit overwhelmed. We will all have times when our plates are very full. We will have times of chaos and confusion. But if we remember to seek God together, and not try to do everything alone, we will find the strength to get through. Sharing God’s love together is a fabulous way to promote closeness in your marriage.

Placing our hope in God’s strength

Sometimes people need practical, hands-on help when they are drowning in life’s problems. Other times people just empathy and a shoulder to cry on. There are moments when there is no obvious solution. In those moments we just have to keep putting one foot in front of there other as we love God and each other. Those are the times God shines. Those are the times when suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope (Romans 5). If we have hope, we can keep going. Remind your spouse that even in the midst of troubles, God is working and you are in it together.

“I have said these things to you, that in my you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

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