31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
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Day 22: Marriage Builder Tip: Be Patient with Each Other - 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 10:05 pm GMT

Scripture Focus: Love is patient. I Corinthians 13:4

 

Let me give you a David-specific oxymoron: “Patient driver.” Yes, I’m a reasonably patient person – until I grasp the steering wheel and begin driving. Suddenly, I am the only capable driver in a freeway full of incompetents! Here is a good thing: While I was growing up, my parents trained me not to swear --- and not to use sign language.

 

Within the context of a marriage, patience is a virtue that pays rich dividends. Learning to be patient with each other, to give patience as well as to receive it, can do more to transform your relationship than you may realize.

 

An impatient young husband wonders why his wife doesn’t keep the house cleaner, and why she doesn’t cook meat loaf the way his mom did. Okay, she’s working part-time outside the home, but what does she do the rest of the time? Why doesn’t she do a better job at all that “woman stuff?” Why, he wonders, isn’t my wife more like mom was?

 

An impatient young wife wonders why her husband doesn’t treat her the way her dad always treated her mom. Wow, dad was a gentleman. He opened car doors for his wife. He brought her flowers for no reason. He didn’t bring home a store-bought card; he wrote poetry for birthdays and anniversaries; corny but romantic stuff. He loved his wife and everyone knew it. So why, she wonders, can’t my husband do the same for me?

 

Patience notices that your partner is trying. Patience compliments good efforts and rewards helpful behaviors. Patience is the opposite of grumpy grumbling. Patience gives people time to wise up, mature, and get better.

 

When we receive patience from our partner, we keep trying to do our best, knowing we are loved and valued right now imperfect as we are. When we give patience to our partner, we send the message that perfection isn’t necessary; just good effort.

 

For your personal reflection:

  • Are you constantly sending your partner the message that he or she just doesn’t measure up to mom, or dad, or your expectations?
  • Or are you a patient and loving partner, cherishing your spouse for his or her many good qualities?
Prayer: Lord, patience is not my best thing. Help me to at least be more patient with my marriage partner starting today. Help me to focus on the good things and to be more relaxed about areas that may need improvement or change. Help me to love my partner with a patient and encouraging love.
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