31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
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Day 2: The Constructive Power of Helpful Words - 31 Days: Marriage Devotionals

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Getting Started

Getting Started

Day 1: The Destructive Power of Harmful Words

Day 1: The Destructive Power of Harmful Words

Day 2: The Constructive Power of Helpful Words

Day 2: The Constructive Power of Helpful Words

Day 3: Ceasing Our Harmful Thoughts: Time for Some Brain Surgery

Day 3: Ceasing Our Harmful Thoughts: Time for Some Brain Surgery

Day 4: Building a New Habit: The Power of Positive Thinking

Day 4: Building a New Habit: The Power of Positive Thinking

Day 5: The Unifying Power of Common Experiences

Day 5: The Unifying Power of Common Experiences

Day 6: Key to Preserving Your Marriage: Being Intentional About Your Focus

Day 6: Key to Preserving Your Marriage: Being Intentional About Your Focus

Day 7: Two Pathways to Riches: Have More or Want Less

Day 7: Two Pathways to Riches: Have More or Want Less

Day 8: Working Together in Harmony Produces Beautiful Music

Day 8: Working Together in Harmony Produces Beautiful Music

Day 9: This Honorable Estate

Day 9: This Honorable Estate

Day 10: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 1

Day 10: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 1

Day 11: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 2

Day 11: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 2

Day 12: Faithfulness: The Foundation of Trust in a Relationship

Day 12: Faithfulness: The Foundation of Trust in a Relationship

Day 13: Be Angry – Yet Do Not Sin

Day 13: Be Angry – Yet Do Not Sin

Day 14: Solve It Before the Sun Sets --- or at Least Before Bedtime

Day 14: Solve It Before the Sun Sets --- or at Least Before Bedtime

Day 15: The Wisdom We Need Is Peaceable

Day 15: The Wisdom We Need Is Peaceable

Day 16: The Wisdom We Need Is Gentle

Day 16: The Wisdom We Need Is Gentle

Day 17: The Wisdom We Need Is Willing to Yield

Day 17: The Wisdom We Need Is Willing to Yield

Day 18: The Wisdom We Need Is Full of Mercy

Day 18: The Wisdom We Need Is Full of Mercy

Day 19: The Wisdom We Need Is Without Hypocrisy

Day 19: The Wisdom We Need Is Without Hypocrisy

Day 20: What? Me Worry? Husbands Edition

Day 20: What? Me Worry? Husbands Edition

Day 21: What? Me Worry? Wives Edition

Day 21: What? Me Worry? Wives Edition

Day 22: Marriage Builder Tip: Be Patient with Each Other

Day 22: Marriage Builder Tip: Be Patient with Each Other

Day 23: Marriage Builder Tip: The Beauty of a Clean Slate

Day 23: Marriage Builder Tip: The Beauty of a Clean Slate

Day 24: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Perseverance

Day 24: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Perseverance

Day 25: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Prayerful Hope

Day 25: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Prayerful Hope

Day 26: The Destructive Power of a Restless Spirit

Day 26: The Destructive Power of a Restless Spirit

Day 27: The Contagious Power of Relentless Contentment

Day 27: The Contagious Power of Relentless Contentment

Day 28: A Quiet Life: Learning to Guard Your Privacy – and Your Partner’s Privacy

Day 28: A Quiet Life: Learning to Guard Your Privacy – and Your Partner’s Privacy

Day 29: Minding Your Own Business --- What One Young Wife Decides

Day 29: Minding Your Own Business --- What One Young Wife Decides

Day 30: Earn Your Own Living – What Does This Mean to You?

Day 30: Earn Your Own Living – What Does This Mean to You?

Day 31: Winning the Respect of Others --- Your Marriage Matters

Day 31: Winning the Respect of Others --- Your Marriage Matters

Discipleship Place
John ComstockJul 21, 2021 9:57 pm GMT

Scripture Focus: Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. Ephesians 4:29

 

It matters how we talk about our marriage partner. When our words are positive and encouraging, we can build confidence and a sense of safety for someone we love.

 

One of our pastors had a practice of always speaking positively about his wife. If he mentioned her in a sermon or in a private conversation, or even “off the record” --- every word he spoke about her was positive. Every time. With every person.

 

When God called that pastor away from us, there was a “sending service” attended by the entire congregation. One of the most meaningful parts of that time together was watching husband after husband step up to the microphone and say, “Pastor, you really showed me how to talk about my wife! I learned so much from your powerful example!”

 

Among his other accomplishments, this wise pastor was modeling the power of helpful words. He helped so many young husbands begin to improve in the way they talked to, and talked about, their wives. The difference was tangible – we watched relationships improve in quality, in depth, and in trust levels.

 

Speaking positively about someone helps others respect them. It also demonstrates that we ourselves respect the person we are talking about. When a wife knows that her husband will always speak positively about her, she thrives in her heart and her soul.

When a husband knows that his wife “has his back” and will speak only positively about him in her circles of friends and family, he feels respected and valued.

 

Paul shows us in this passage that we should test our words: Do they build up and provide what is needed? Do they accomplish good for those who hear us?

.

For your personal reflection:


·       How can I become more like the pastor in this story?

·       How can I begin to demonstrate a consistent pattern of speaking positively and constructively about my life partner?

·       Who is watching my example today?

 

Prayer: Lord, I would like to become known as someone who encourages others and builds them up, not as someone who tears people down. Please let me begin by being the number-one booster of my husband or wife. Help me speak positively about him or her; not just in public and when I know people are watching, but also in my private conversations with family and friends. I want to be an encourager!


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J
Janna
2 months ago
Amen
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S
sirhandyman2001
a year ago
Amen, I need help
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K
Kathy
a year ago
Amen
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S
sirhandyman2001
a year ago
Amen
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T
Toniann
a year ago
Powerful devotion
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