31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
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Day 4: Building a New Habit: The Power of Positive Thinking - 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 10:15 pm GMT

Scripture Focus: In conclusion, fill your minds with those things that are good, and that deserve praise; things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honorable. Philippians 4:8

 

Scripture is clear and consistent all the way from Proverbs to Philippians. What we put into our minds and our thoughts (input) comes out as our actions and choices (output). The choices we make reveal the nature and content of our inner thinking.

 

Paul tells the church at Philippi to “fill up” on positive thoughts. Instead of denying the reality of negative things around them, Paul urges these new believers to focus on other and better realities. He instructs them (and us) to notice the good things, to think about the positive circumstances, and to reflect on all that is pure and holy.

 

We worked with a young husband who was convinced he had married the wrong girl. She had seemed intelligent when they were dating; now she seemed stupid at times. She had kept herself attractive when they met; now he felt like she had let herself go in her personal appearance. She had gained 20 or 30 pounds.

 

As we got to know this man better, the problem wasn’t who his wife was. The problem was this: How he saw her. This recently-married male wasn’t noticing the many good qualities his wife had; he was busy comparing “now” with “back then.” In reality, he was still married to an attractive, caring, intelligent woman; he just didn’t see her that way.

 

We began asking this young husband to literally make a list of his wife’s strong and positive qualities. We instructed him to begin “catching her in the act” of being a good person. As he began to do so, reluctantly at first, his entire opinion of his wife began to change. “Wow,” he said to us later, “I never realized how unselfish she is, and how many things she does around here, every day, just to make my life better!”

 

He became his wife’s champion instead of her critic. The result: a thriving marriage.

 

For your personal reflection:

  • Make a list (in writing) of your partner’s good features and the ways that he or she contributes to your household and its duties.
  • Make a list of the character qualities you admire in your spouse.
  • Begin thinking about the positive and good things you see in your life partner. Flood your thoughts with these things.

Prayer: Lord, am I my partner’s critic, or my partner’s champion? Help me see my spouse with new eyes, so that I am continually aware of the many good and positive qualities You have placed in my partner. Help me keep my focus on wholesome, pure, and helpful things --- so that I can build up, encourage, and support my spouse.


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sirhandyman2001
a year ago
Amen
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