Gratitude is a powerful protection for your marriage.
I’m talking about the simple, inside your heart, count your blessings kind of gratitude, but also out loud worshiping God together kind of gratitude. Not just for things, but for who God is and how He has revealed Himself to you both.
Gratitude is worship and worship is powerful.
In the Old Testament, the Israelite armies frequently sent musicians and singers ahead of the marching troops. Not because they were letting the band kids take the first wave of military heat, but because they knew worship was powerful. It focuses us on something – or rather Someone – larger than us or the demands at hand. It also freaks out our enemy. Bible teachers have pondered what Satan was up to in the Garden with Adam and Eve, but at the heart of his intent it seems he wanted to be worshiped and to be “like God” (Ezekiel 28). So if Satan can’t get you to lavish your focus on him, he will settle for you to waste your focus on everything but God. So your busy schedule suits him just fine. That irritating thing your family member does, will also suit him. Financial strain works great too. Anything but focusing your heart on your Lord. Worship sets your heart firmly on God alone. Lastly, worship is at the heart of our design as individuals and at the heart of marriage itself.
In Ephesians 5 Paul tells us it is a great mystery how God chose to reveal a piece of His love and devotion for His people through the covenant relationship of marriage. Your marriage and mine was meant to reflect God’s love and when it does, it glorifies Him. When our very lives reflect the character of God, I think that is the highest form of worship we can give.
So worship God together. Thank Him for your spouse each day. Thank Him for the way He has carried you through hardships. And do it together regularly. There is nothing quite so endearing to my heart as when I hear my husband pray for me; when he thanks God for my efforts on behalf of our family and he thanks God for making me his wife. Shared gratitude is powerful.
If you struggle with a particular habit your spouse has and it stirs up grumbles inside you, ask God to help you turn your perspective around until you can find a way to use the once-annoying-habit as a reminder to pray for or be thankful for something about your spouse. You can’t be grateful and grumble with the same heart-space. So choose gratitude and worship to reign in your heart. It will be a powerful safeguard for your marriage and family.
PS – if you want a sweet gift idea for your spouse, start a gratitude journal today and give it to them for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
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