New Normal
Covid 19
Let’s start out by stating the obvious, we all have a new normal right now. In the midst of a pandemic, we are seeing fear, sickness, and deaths rise. This can be very scary for most, as we cannot see the enemy, or even know where it is coming from. What do you do when everything around you seems uncertain? In marriage, when life is out of your normal routine and now you may be together 24/7, know that God is still in control and you can have peace in this storm.
Covid-19
What If’s
What if’s are very disconcerting, and can even drown you into a sea of misery and depression. When we have a new normal that the whole world is enduring, we have to see it for what it is and stop asking what if. Our thoughts can get carried away by real and imagined circumstances. We can drift in our thoughts to horrible scenarios that make our heart miss a beat. Take heart and know we can look to the word of God for comfort, and pray and in an instant have peace in our minds, home, and marriage.
Facts
What is real? Ask yourself to slow down, look at the facts, and not allow fear to run away with your mind. Some of you may be facing some hard facts right now. Lost jobs, shortages on food and tp, a loved one is sick and you can’t see them. Maybe you are pregnant and all of this seems overwhelming. IF you are facing facts right now that are hard, realize you can’t do anything to change them so no need to worry about them. Instead of looking at the problems, look at all of the solutions, there is many helps out there available to everyone.
Better Together
I know being together is wonderful on vacation, date night, time alone, but when the pressure is on, together might seem a little harder. Being used to being together makes this a lot more bearable when chaos in the outside world ensues, but when you are used to an 8-5 break, life might get a little crowded. Do you know God put us together so we can be stronger? To become one as man and wife creates strength? When Jesus is first and we have biblical order in our home we can be better together.
Things To Do
We, in Indiana, are about to start a 14 day shutdown on non essential travel starting tomorrow 3/24-4/7. So if you and hubby are home together, remember to keep a good to do list. Here are some ideas: do things to de-stress, (read, clean, music, go outside, exercise, laugh, play games, and most importantly pray and read your word.) You also need to keep in mind, depending on the size of your home, to give each other some space, keep up on essentials, bathing, brushing teeth, getting dressed, and spending quality time together. Keep your words sweet and sarcasm down. You never know the fears the other one may be feeling.
Communication
Are you communicating? This is a great time to reassess where you are spiritually, and in your marriage. What are you expecting of one another? Is fear driving your attitude? Remember to respond and not react. This takes listening, loving, and forgiving, and taking time to understand where your spouse is on the current crisis. We need to love and be lovable in this time of great uncertainty. Marriage is hard enough without a pandemic, but know this could be the very thing that pushes your marriage to a place of greatness!
Jesus
So all of the things above are things we can do to help out in this time, but the only answer we truly have in a time like this is Jesus. Things may get worse before they get better, this may last for several months, and it may get very uncomfortable. Do you know Jesus can do all you need? He is our Healer, our Comforter, our Deliverer, our Strong Tower, our very present help in a time of need. He can supply all our needs, He can bring joy, peace, and strength when we are overwhelmed. Get together today with your spouse and pray, read the word, fast, and know the God of the Bible for who He is, Jesus, our Salvation! God is moving in many homes today as we all get online and hear preaching, teaching, and encouragement. He is the God of Miracles and can do miracles in your marriage today if you will just welcome Him in!!
Prayer
Our prayer for you this week is to take time to talk and figure out the best way to work through this should it become long term. Even if it is over in 2 weeks, you should ask what makes your spouse feel safe and vice versa! Pray the Lord takes you deeper in prayer, the word, and time together! Be careful with your words and actions!
Scriptures
Monday: Isaiah 59:19 says, “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” We may not see the enemy but we can trust that God will lift up a standard against him!
Tuesday: 2 corinthians 10:5 says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” Cast down every what if and know that God is in control! Don’t let your mind run away with your thoughts!
Wednesday: Matthew 6:34 says, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” There’s no reason to worry about tomorrow when you know God has your today!
Thursday: Genesis 2:18 says, “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” We are better together!!
Friday: Ephesians 5:33 says, “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband.” Find ways to de-stress and use this scripture to keep Gods word!
Saturday: James 1:19 says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” Be careful with your words using wisdom, love, and understanding!
Sunday: Psalm 61:2 says, “ From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Jesus is always the answer!! Come together and pray and read his word!!
Contact
Please feel free to contact us at janene@happilyevermarried.org and post and share our newest blog post at happilyevermarried.org Thank you for investing in your marriage and you too can have a happily ever married marriage!