Category: Self-Protection
-
The Difference Between Tolerating and Overlooking an Offense
In a day and age that cries out for tolerance, the idea of “tolerating our spouses” can easily seep into our mindset in marriage as well. At least, it did for my marriage! This notion sounds so noble and even Christlike on the surface. In fact, there’s one verse in particular that seems to support…
-
Where Should a Christ-follower Stand in a Divisive World?
“Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” —Romans 15:7 These are powerful words from the Apostle Paul, aren’t they? But they surely do not reflect the state that our world is in! So, with that in mind … Where does the world stand? No one…
-
6 Ways to Be a More Compassionate and Forgiving Spouse
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be compassionate toward your spouse when you’re angry with him or her? It gets even harder when we let our anger turn into bitterness because we’ve chosen not to forgive them. Ironically, keeping this same mindset and practice in place inevitably creates a hard heart as…
-
4 Reasons to Make Love Even When Angry at Your Husband
It was the eve of our one-year wedding anniversary, and my husband and I had one of our biggest fights. We went to bed angry. Rather, he went to bed, and I went to the couch. I wept through most of the night, mourning the death of the marriage of my dreams. Sprawled on the…
-
5 Ways to Love Your Man When He Doesn’t Listen
Have you ever found yourself sharing something really close to your heart with your mate, only to realize he or she is far, far away? Not really listening at all? Ouch! In my marriage, this has been done to me and, quite frankly, done by me to my husband more times than I can count! It’s so easy to…
-
6 Lessons that Motivate Me to Forgive My Mate
I’ve always struggled to let go of offenses and forgive my husband from the heart. In the moment it feels like God needs my help to point out my spouse’s sin or at least to stop it from happening again. When I give in to that thinking it mushrooms. I feel like I need to…
-
Are You Invisible or Transparent in Life and Marriage?
Over the years, I’ve discovered just how important being transparent is to the health of my life and marriage. Sadly, in our day and time, transparency has been replaced with either pretentious posturing or defensive dodging. I’d like to refer to pretentious posturing AND defensive dodging as actually choosing to be “invisible.” People who react…
-
The Unfair Task of Holding in Your Personal Truth in Marriage
Did you know that my husband is an open book with a transparent cover and see-through pages?! I always know exactly where I stand with him at just about every moment in our marriage. This can be a good thing most of the time. I’m grateful for his openness and willingness to clear the air.…
-
Giving Grace When it’s Hard and Goes Unnoticed
One of the hardest challenges of living out grace in my marriage has and continues to be extending grace (my “one word”) when it has gone unnoticed or does not get returned. I think that’s because positives can easily go under the radar for most everyone—especially and including by me! 😉 The negatives, the bad…
-
Victim Love Style in Marriage And FMTM Linkup
Here at Messy Marriage, I’ve talked about a “Victim Mentality” a lot over the years, but this isn’t necessarily what I’m talking about today. A victim mentality can develop in any person’s life regardless of their love style. A victim mentality is a fixation on a real or supposed victimizer in one’s life, feeling helpless…
WORTHY Bible Studies 
You must be logged in to post a comment.