GET YOUR FOCUS OFF YOURSELF
The past week, I have been frustrated. Marilyn has been dealing with some nagging health issues that have affected her spirits and her ability to enjoy life and our marriage. Without realizing it, I slowly drifted into a negative attitude about how it all impacts me.
Dates aren’t as fun. We can’t enjoy each other. She doesn’t have a desire for intimacy. Then, I started becoming stagnant in our marriage and stopped pursuing Marilyn. This behavior is foolish, selfish, and counterproductive. It negatively affects me, Marilyn, and our marriage.
My wife is hurting, tired, and working tirelessly to serve our family. She literally lays her life down for all of us every single day. For me to harbor any attitude that hints at being offended by how her health issues impact me is pathetic.
It is easy to shift your focus inward and live in a perpetual state of frustration. The real challenge is to get your eyes off yourself and proactively love and pursue others. We are happier when we are loving. Conversely, we get sad when we focus on how well we are being loved.
Action Item:
- List everything you love about your spouse.
- Thank them for everything they do.
- Make sure to do at least one proactive thing each day to pursue your spouse.
Verse for reflection: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” — Philippians 2:3-4
Brad Rhoads is co-founder of Grace Marriage.
Brad Rhoads is co-founder of Grace Marriage.