Sep
11
Choosing to Believe Him
By Gwenn McKone
My daughter Christian came home from school yesterday and told me that her friend’s parents recently got divorced. We know the family fairly well because our daughter and their daughter were on the same Little League softball team for a few years. Her friend’s dad and my husband became pretty good friends.
Even when the two girls ended up on different teams, we still ran into them at various athletic events. Over time, we didn’t see them as much anymore, and the two husbands lost touch. So when Christian informed me that they divorced this year, I was stunned. We’d never seen any problems between the two of them. They had been married about 15 years.
Now their kids are scuttling between two homes. Even the dog is going back and forth. The kids don’t have one “main” home where they can hang their hats. And they’re trying to cope.
This kind of news hit way too close to home. That was very nearly our story only a few months ago. We were within a hair’s breadth of walking down the same road. I could almost hear Satan rubbing his hands together in excitement.
But then I chose to do something that has made all the difference: believe. I chose to believe that God is who He said He is, and that God can do what He said He can do. I asked Him not just to save our marriage, or to improve our marriage. I asked Him to make it new, because God makes all things new. (Rev. 21:5)
Paul also said that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think. (Eph. 3:20) That means that however wonderful I think our marriage could be, God could make it far better.
So, do I believe Him or not? I’m choosing to believe.
Believing is not easy. In fact, it’s crazy hard, especially when you can’t imagine your marriage ever being something beautiful and romantic and nurturing. And just because I’ve chosen to believe in God’s promises doesn’t mean He immediately waves a wand and exchanges our tattered marriage for a sparkling new one just in time for the ball.
It’s quite the opposite. Believing in God’s promises is usually a long and arduous process, where weeks and months can go by without any outward signs of progress. There have been times when I’ve shouted out to God, “Throw me a bone here, would you? Just a little something to encourage me?”
And then, two of my friends, within a month’s time, said to me, “Wow, Gwenn, I can’t believe how much you have changed from a year ago. Back then, it was all your husband’s fault. Now, you are yielding so much more to God.”
I didn’t know that God’s work within me was so obvious–I didn’t even realize it was happening. But I have noticed subtle changes in my heart. I now have the God-given patience to endure–this has been the biggest change. It is certainly not from me–patience was never something anyone would have credited me with.
I am also more willing to show love to my husband, even when I am not shown it in return.
If God is working so effectively and so diligently within me, I know He is working within my husband as well, even if the outward signs are not yet there.
I just have to wait. Be patient. Pray. And believe in His exceeding abundance.
Gwenn
Comments
8 Responses to “Choosing to Believe Him”
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Wow, Gwenn…you hit the nail right at the head! Choosing to believe takes time for me too!
May the Lord further strengthen the bind between you and your husband. And yes, may He make it new!
Yes…wait on the Lord and you will receive more than you can imagine. Here is one of my favorite scriptures for you to read and think about….Psalm 27:14…”Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Read all of Psalm 27…you could replace “me” with “us” and I know in my heart it will be a great prayer for you to keep the devil from rubbng his hands together anymore. I’m praying for you. Hang in….God will restore this in His time, my friend. ~ Becki
That was very inspiring, Gwenn!
Keep believing and we’ll keep praying.
This is a great post! Reminds me of me…
I’ve been praying for my marriage to become better for the past 5 1/2 years of my 6-year marriage, and it didn’t seem to be getting better — we had problems with abuse and adultery — until this year. The difference? Not just believing that there is a God, but trusting that His way is the best way, even when it seems contrary to our thought process (to get more love, you got to give more). But wow, I think my marriage is going to make it. And who know what, I was praying for my husband to change but I was the one who needed to change. I needed to forgive and trust again, basically forcing myself out of obedience to God. And, wow, what an amazing difference!
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I love your encouragement! Rita, I especially loved your comment…sounds like you’ve had a tough road, too. I’m thrilled to hear that your marriage is improving. Praise God!
What a beautiful post. I have experienced so much of the same roller coaster ride through my marriage. Why didn’t anyone tell us that roller coasters aren’t always such a thrill? There are times when we feel like our “inards” are going to become our “outards”. It’s hard to hold on through the uphill climb but, like on a roller coaster, we can’t just bail on our marriages and we are rewarded. God showed me that I was going to have to step out of the way and let Him be God in my life and in my marriage. Praise God my husband and I are celebrating 21 years next month.
Greetings,
Daugthers of Restoration Ministries is honored to invite you to this
mighty move of God. We are in a season of new things. I believe whole
heartedly that women will be restored and made whole at the ministry’s
1st Annual Women Retreat. If you are unable to attend, pass this
information on to others in order to be a blessing to them. This is
truly a Kingdom movement. If you would like to make a donation make the
check/money order payable to Terra Lewis and I will ensure the funds
get allocated to greatest need of the retreat. Donations can be mailed
to:
Terra Lewis
PO Box 2300
Decatur, GA 30031
More information is on the attached flyer. Scholarships are available
for those that are unable to attend b/c of financial difficulties.
Don’t let finances hinder you from getting your breakthrough. We are
partnering with the American Cancer Association. There will be catered
food available for purchase which will be under $20. Parking is free.
In His Service,
Evangelist Terra Lewis
wow reading the blog was good, then i read the comments and everything is fine then what do I see, someone begging for money ,of course its for the Lord. it is this kind of stuff that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. this is sad.