Getting Along

No Provoking:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:22-26. If your spouse is struggling with something, do you like to boast about how you have no struggles with that issue or do you try to help them with their weakness? Some people have a weakness in controlling themselves with food, spending money, or sexual desires. It doesn’t matter how big or how small the struggle is, what matters is how you and your spouse handle those desires. Can you help serve your spouse by being strong in the faith where they are weak, and in return, they are strong where you are weak? If you have an issue with self-control when it comes to food, but your husband does not seek his help in the matter, it can become quite dangerous for envy over his self-control to creep into your mind and your marriage. Keeping in our mind at all times that the holy spirit lives inside of us, will help keep our focus on serving God, rather than serving our desires. The holy spirit helps keep our passions and desires God-focused. We all have strengths and weaknesses. How are you using your strengths to help build up your spouse and how are you asking for help with your weaknesses?

Bearing Burdens:

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2. It is hard to watch a family member or a spouse going through a difficult time, suffering from something, or just under a heavy load from this world. Well, luckily the bible tells us to not leave those people in their times of need. Often when people are hurting they can lash out and become extremely difficult to be around. The person suffering, however, needs a solid rock to hold on to while it feels like the rest of the world is quicksand. But what does being someone’s rock look like? Sometimes it is just sitting with them quietly, letting them know only by your physical presence that you are there. Many times words are not needed, but they can just make the problem worse. It can look like taking over household chores while the other person may be physically unable to do so. You can also pray for one another. Even if we can’t be in the same physical location, God is omnipresent so He can be with them. 

Whatever your circumstances may be, there is always something you can do to bear one another’s burdens. When we gather around our spouse who is hurting or struggling, our added strength and encouragement are often the difference between pressing on and giving up. We can also seek help from the church, whether that’s mentorship or just prayer from the pastors and elders. When your spouse has a heavy burden, what do you do to lighten that load? What do you do to make that load heavier? Are you aware of when a burden is getting to be too much? Start with communication. Sometimes your spouse will tell you what’s going on, sometimes he won’t. But you know your spouse better than anyone, so use that wisdom of his personality and find ways to help bear his burdens. It will change your marriage, I promise.