Marriage Prayer

Today I’d like to introduce you to our final monthly contributor, Renee Swope of Proverbs 31 Ministries. She’s here to inspire us with her writing and has also offered us five signed copies of her book, A Confident Heart Devotional. Welcome Renee!!

I grew up in a family of multiple divorces and marriages led by strong women. When I got married, I had serious hesitancies when it came to following my husband’s lead. Honestly, I was afraid if I submitted to my husband I would become a doormat and lose myself in the process.

About a year after we got married, J.J. told me it was easier to just let me lead because it wasn’t worth the argument to him. Ouch!! You’d think that’s what I wanted – to get my way – but it wasn’t because my husband had become apathetic.

I knew our problem was mostly my fault.  J.J. had wanted to lead, but when he tried I would often criticize how he led. Yet, I  knew Ephesians 5:33 tells wives to respect their husbands: “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (NIV 1984)

So, I started praying God would change J.J. and make him easier for me to follow – that he’d be more decisive and lead in a way that gave me confidence to follow him.

One day, God strongly impressed on my heart that my fears and doubt were fueling my need for control. And my criticism wasn’t getting me any closer to my desired result. In fact, my frustration with J.J. only contributed to his doubts about his ability to follow God and lead our family.

God also challenged me to keep my mouth closed when J.J. did something I did not like or led in a way I didn’t want to follow. Instead I was to make every effort to encourage my husband’s leadership by telling him things I admired and appreciated.

I started looking for and finding things in my husband that I had barely noticed before. Each day I would point out things I respected about J.J., and let God take care of things I didn’t. I made choices to honor him in big and small ways. And you know what? I discovered countless things about my husband that were worthy of my respect and trust.

I also realized my doubts were unfair and my fears were unfounded. My husband didn’t want me to become a doormat. He wanted my input but he also needed my trust and encouragement. He needed me to believe in him as a man and offer my support verbally, emotionally and spiritually.

I’ve found the confidence to follow my husband leadership by trusting God’s lead in J.J.’ decisions. Is it always easy? Nope. There have been job changes I didn’t want him to make; financial investments that seemed too risky and parenting issues that were hard. But, my husband has become the leader of our family. And I’ve become more comfortable and confident following his lead than I ever thought I’d be!

Can I pray for us? Dear Lord, we want to respect our husbands and follow their lead with confident trust in You.  Help us measure our thoughts and words carefully and come to You with our concerns and complaints. Make us the biggest cheerleaders in our husband’s lives as we watch and trust You to do Your thing in him. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What is one thing about your husband for which you are thankful? {his character, his work ethic, his provision, his humor or something he adds to your life, etc} 

 

Renee Swope
www.ReneeSwope.com

 

Want to win a copy of Renee’s book, A Confident Heart Devotional? I have five signed copies to give away!

confident

About Renee’s NEW Confident Heart Devotional:
Ever feel like you’re not good enough? Does self-doubt sometimes leave you feeling uncertain about your ability to be the woman, wife or mom God’s called you to be? Expanding on her life-changing book, A Confident Heart, with over 100,000 copies in print, Renee Swope has written a 60-day devotional that will encourage, empower and equip you to live confidently in your God-given roles, relationships, and responsibilities! Each devotion ends with a “When I Say…God Says…” statement to match a Bible promise and a prayer to help guide your thoughts and emotions that day. Plus you’ll LOVE an easy-reference chart that includes all sixty ”When I Say…God Says…” statements.

 

Here are five ways you can enter (3 points for each!):

1. Like Time-Warp Wife on Facebook
2. Like Renee Swope on Facebook
3. Follow Time-Warp Wife on Twitter
4. Follow Renee on Twitter
5. Share this post with some friends – on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or email.

This will run until Sunday, and I’ll announce the winners here on Monday.

Subscribers, click through to the blog to see the Rafflecopter gadget.

 

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