December 1st
I love the beginning of December!! I can officially celebrate the Christmas season without judgment! Technically we have been celebrating for a couple months! It’s 2020 and I have heard a lot of my friends say the same thing! This year may not have been kind to you, your marriage, or your family. For that I am truly sorry. We all have our seasons and this may be one of those seasons for you. Let’s look at where you are, but know no matter the season of your life, this is a season of joy! Are you prepared?
Joy
Joy in this Christmas season comes in many forms. For some they may get to see family only once a year. I used to live in Colorado and the only time I came home was Christmas and that was all I could afford, but when I did it was full of joy! Joy may come at the thought of traditions with your spouse and children, decorating the tree, your home, making cookies, going sledding, shopping trips, and just slowing down with work, but exchanging that for more time with family and friends. How else can you prepare for a season of joy in your marriage? Make a list and stick to it! It can be really fun!!
Seasons Of Life
Some of you may see the season of your life that’s trying, or sad, or even stressful, while others may be in a season of growth, easy, calm, or even happy! We always have weddings and funerals, babies being born, promotions, or job loss. We all are growing, walking into a trial, waiting on a trial, or leaving a trial. But it’s just a season. What you do in your season and how you walk in it is important. Your spouse and you need to walk through it together with joy!
Walking Through
Whatever the season we have to learn how to walk through it, and not stop and live in it. Through the good and the bad, we can’t stand still and stay forever in that moment. If we do we will die there. We will become stale and inept. You see, whatever is in motion stays in motion, and whatever is at rest stays at rest. To truly live we must keep walking and growing. Our marriages can’t stay in the honeymoon phase or it would not make it. We can’t stay in the trial either. If we did we would never truly know the love that comes years down the road. Press on into joy and see the blessings marriage has to offer. The alternative is grim.
How To Walk
How do we walk through each season? We learn to walk through it with joy. Why? If you haven’t seen it lately, there is a saying, “Choose your hard.” Life is hard and we all face it, but we have a choice on how we will walk through it. Will we do it with joy or sorrow? Face it with passion or with fear of the unknown? Joy is the peace of knowing God has you. He is in control and we are not. A peace comes to you, and your marriage when you see the Masters hand in all of your decisions and trials. He is there when you are experiencing a moment that trumps all others, and when you are weak and falling on your knees in anguish. He knows your pain friend and He knows how to help you. When we trust Him and let go we walk in joy! Not a superficial happiness that comes and goes, but a constant no matter the situation.
Joy Unspeakable
When you know Jesus and have a real relationship with Him, it doesn’t matter what is going on you can have Joy unspeakable!! It’s a supernatural joy that radiates from you!! It flows onto all around you and they will ask, “What is it about you?” You can honestly answer, “It’s Jesus!” He is our joy, our strength, our refuge, and peace!! Jesus is there when no one else is, and He is there when you feel all alone surrounded by thousands. He is there when you are at the pinnacle of success and He is there when your life comes to an end. Make sure He knows you. Make sure you truly know Him. The joy I am speaking of only comes through Him. If you don’t have it, you need it. Your marriage depends on it. Please feel free to contact me if you aren’t sure about where you stand. Jesus is the answer to your joy!
Scriptures
Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 says, “To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted. We all have a season, this is a season of joy! Know your season!
Wednesday: 1 Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” This is one of my favorite scriptures and especially at Christmas. When we follow the wisdom of the scripture disappointment eludes us.
Thursday: Ecclesiastes 3:4 says, ” A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” Look at each season and find the joy in it, look for the good, and share it with your spouse.
Friday: Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” How do I keep walking with joy. The word. It cleanses us and gives us what we need to press on.
Saturday: Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.” Joy comes from trusting Jesus and keeping our mind on Him. Don’t focus on your trial, keep your eyes on Him.
Sunday: 1 Peter 1:8 says, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” Knowing Jesus is a faith walk, this life is a faith walk, and marriage is a faith walk. But oh so worth it!! In all things seek Him and you will have joy for your season!!
Contact
Please feel free to contact us at janene@happilyevermarried.org, and share or read other blog posts at http://happilevermarried.org Thank you for investing in your marriage and have a happily ever married!!