Distractions
I know in 2019 we are constantly being distracted by anything and everything. There is a constant vying for our precious time and attention. What is it that pulls at your emotions and thoughts? What is a distraction?One definition is: Something that distracts: an object that directs one’s attention away from something else, or mental confusion, Per Merriam-Webster dictionary. What distractions keep you from the most important things in your life? Your marriage?
Daily Distractions
Our days are filled to the brim with activities, social media, chores, bills, a to-do list that never ends. Our spouse need us, the children, our work needs us, friends, the dog or cat, our extended families. If you are like me you are always thinking about what I have to do next. We have church activities, services, and outreaches of different sorts. Some of these are wonderful, others are just us filling time when we could be doing something productive. If you have goals, a daily plan, laser focus of what you need to do, these then become distractions. What could you accomplish today to make more time for your spouse and children?
Pressure
When I think of pressure, I think of not having enough time to do it all. A deadline, bills, debt, or someone depending on me to get something done at a certain time. I think of my pressure cooker. It takes a lot of steam time to fill it up, but when it is at full pressure, watch out!! There are people who have been devastatingly burned by them. We all need to be so careful when it is at its highest pressure, because it could explode. So we have to take precautions not to let all of the pressure come out unexpectedly. We have to release the pressure and wait for it to be fully out of steam. This takes managing stress and finding outlets that are safe and productive. Pressure can cause harm in a marriage.
Real Issues
We all have things in this life that have to be dealt with, that are real issues. Unlike an instant pot that is so amazing, and quickly gives us a savory meal, we can’t allow all of the pressures of this life to way us down. It can bottle up all our steam and cause us to explode. Real Issues can come out of no where. Usually they are things we have been putting off, or trying to get to. This is where priorities come in!
Keeping Your Priorities
My husband and I work very hard to keep up on bills, pay down debt. We manage all of the things that we have on our lists of needs and wants. We have not always been as diligent, but have moved our mindsets to say “we can do this with God’s help.” My husband and I pay cash for everything so we have to wait on items that may need fixed or purchased. We know God is our provider. We can trust it will get done eventually, if we keep our priorities straight. Keeping stresses down in a marriage will help with these priorities.
Emptiness
Emptiness is defined in one definition by the free dictionary as devoid or destitute, also lacking force, power, or purpose; meaningless. Needing nourishment; hungry. I don’t know about you, but when I spend enormous amounts of time being idle, or doing everything but what I am supposed to be doing, I feel empty, I am at a loss for my purpose. Thinking of all I have to do, and how can I fit it all in? I sometimes just want to sit and do nothing. But because I know I am a steward for the Lord, I press on, I keep going, and I set my priorities. But I still need something to push me forward to keep up on my duties in life. So what is the solution? How do you keep at bay the emptiness in marriage?
Our Only Solution
We must redeem the time. We only have so many ours in a day, and what we do with those shows where our heart is, and if we are a good steward of what we have. I must spend time in the presence of the the King, the Almighty God. Why? Because only when I get before the master can I be filled. We all have times of emptiness, it comes from all of the distractions in our life so we can’t fulfill our purpose. We sometimes have to war in the spirit with prayer, or it could be the simple act of humbling ourselves and crying out to God. When when do this, our marriage, family, and all of our to do list seems doable and the emptiness leaves. If we never get filled up, we will self-destruct and destroy others along the way, so we have to stop, and get rid of all of the distractions.
Prayer
Our prayer for you is that you get your house in order and find a system that works for your marriage to get things done, and to manage stress in your marriage. Make a plan, talk about it, and move forward, always being flexible to adjust it as needed. Finding a place of prayer daily so you can get filled up and emptiness leaves.
Scriptures
Monday: Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Praying today God help us to remember the days we are in and gain wisdom so we aren’t destroyed by distractions.
Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 10:18 says, “By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.” Praying God help you keep your daily distractions to a minimum and not being idle.
Wednesday: Romans 13:11 says, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Pressures will come, but we must manage this pressure for our marriage and for our souls.
Thursday: Proverbs 10:4 says, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” Pray God helps you not to put off important matters.
Friday: Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Trusting God in tough situations and standing on His word.
Saturday: Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Emptiness can creep in when we are spending our time on foolish things, pray God help you to be wise!
Sunday: Ephesians 5:16 says, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Our solution is God, we must remember to redeem the time because there is an enemy who will fight us.
Contact
Please feel free to contact us at janene@happilyevermarried.org and read and share more blog posts at http://happilyevermarried.org
Thank you for investing in your marriage and know that you too can have a happily ever married marriage.