Men.
If you are like me you are stubborn, a creature of habit, and have a problem with pride. As I write those words I don’t think there is anything wrong with those characteristics necessarily except they can cause you to be selfish, immovable, and want your own way. These can be barriers in relationships.
Any good relationship takes time and intentional effort. Relationships that don’t receive the time and attention needed can drift and be unhealthy. I don’t want that in any of my relationships. Especially my marriage.
What does it take to have a good marriage?
It takes work. And if you are willing follow me for a moment.
What do you think about your marriage? Where do those thoughts come from? Do they come from societies view on marriage? Do they come from examples you saw in your parents or grandparents?
Our preconceptions about marriage come from somewhere and they are not always bad. But for some they can be damaging. They can lead you to toxic thoughts about your spouse or what marriage is supposed to be. Even when we don’t mean too.
Our thoughts have a mind of their own. In fact a lot of the time they are on auto pilot. We don’t know how we got to thinking about the things we think about and even occasionally an inappropriate thought will show up. We didn’t go looking for it and we don’t know how it got there. Our thoughts really can have a mind of their own.
If you have ever been a victim of this mind roller-coaster I want you to know there is hope. The Bible gives clear instructions and commands to help us win the battle of our thoughts before they run away.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
- Do not conform to this worlds ways. Your thought patterns ,your words, or your actions. Because it is unclean and unholy.
- To conform means to form to a mold, for example following the worlds ways and ideas that are contrary to God’s Word.
- Instead be transformed or changed by renewing your mind with God’s word. As you renew your mind you are stronger and know what to think about things of this world. How to respond to affliction and difficult situations, etc…
- When trials or questions come up because you know God’s Word it will be easier to make your stand for faith and the right or good acceptable and perfect, decision.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
- We need to remember that we are battling forces we cannot see.
- The influences of this world pull us in every direction but what is right.
- We do have the power in Jesus to stay with the truth.
- So we take captive bad thoughts, and replace them with truth from God’s word.
Next time you find yourself thinking in the wrong direction. I hope this helps you steer your thoughts in the right direction. I know it helps me!