31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
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Day 26: The Destructive Power of a Restless Spirit - 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 10:02 pm GMT

Scripture Focus: I have learned to be satisfied with what I have…I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content. Philippians 4:11

 

We helped Rachel (not her real name) and her family move into a larger home in a better neighborhood. Rachel’s husband, Mark, had just received a large promotion at work; the family was moving from an expensive house to a more expensive one.

 

As the family moved, Rachel was putting most of their existing furniture out by the curb for trash pick-up. These cast-off items were nicer, and in better condition, than almost anything we had in our own home! Yet for Rachel, it was time to discard the old and purchase the new. Mark’s raise gave Rachel more money to spend; it was clear that she planned to spend it.

 

We had not quite recovered from our amazement at this when the family moved yet again, less than two years later. Now, they moved from a very large home into an even larger one, safely protected behind the guarded gates of an exclusive development. We drove home from helping them move and suddenly, our thrift-store furniture looked worn and shabby. We were in danger of falling into the same trap that had snared Rachel.

 

It was only about eight months from that move before the couple announced they were divorcing. Their frequent arguments about money and spending had finally driven them permanently apart. As we thought back over the years we had known Rachel and Mark, we realized that we had never heard Rachel count her blessings, or express thanks to God for the bountiful financial benefits her family enjoyed. Instead, we had often heard Rachel complain that other families were better off than hers, and that other husbands were more generous in giving their wives control over the family finances. Rachel, despite her many evident financial blessings, had never learned how to be content.

 

For your personal reflection:

  • Have you ever known someone like Rachel, someone who seemed greatly blessed, yet never had enough to be satisfied?
  • Are you surprised to learn that Rachel and Mark finally divorced --- because of money issues? Rachel had much more than many, yet she allowed a restless spirit to destroy her life --- and her marriage.

Prayer: Lord, I would love to have “problems” like Rachel had! I often wish our family had more money or nicer things. Please help me to avoid the danger of a restless spirit; please help me to learn how to be content at all times. Help me count my blessings!



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