It’s too easy to be our spouse’s biggest critic. It’s too easy to think that he/she is not up to par. It’s too easy to get mad at our spouse for not meeting our expectations. It’s too easy for us to say, “If only my spouse would change ___, my life would be immeasurably better.”
Make a commitment to daily let go of unrealistic expectations, and become your spouse’s greatest encourager. You can drive yourself crazy by having unrealistic expectations or you can make a decision to meet your spouse where he/she is, temper your expectations according to how God created your mate, and be patient as God takes him/her through the life-long growing process.
You’re not where you should be, and neither is your mate. Be patient … God is still working.
4 comments
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Ashley "TheSpiritedNerd"
July 26, 2012 at 12:37 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Amen! This is a straight-to-the-point, honest reminder to place all concerns with Jesus regarding the climate of one’s marriage. If anyone has the power to change it, He does…we just have to be patient!
Ashley “TheSpiritedNerd” recently posted..Helping a loved one grow spiritually
Kevin B. Bullard
July 26, 2012 at 2:02 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Ashley — you’re on it. God has the power to change, and we have to play the waiting game. Not fun, but it’s reality. Thanks for reading and responding! /Kevin
Cansa
July 26, 2012 at 12:58 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Very true it is so easy to point out all the negatives. And then once you are scared that losing your mate is a possiblity fear leads to panic which leads to anger in some. And then you use words to point out all the faults or reasons why you think its going wrong.
Yet you are so right God isn’t done and being patient in a storm is very difficult!
Kevin B. Bullard
July 26, 2012 at 2:04 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Cansa – your post made me think of 1 Peter 5:10 — And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. We don’t like the “suffered a little while” phase, but it’s a part of the growth process. Thanks for reading & commenting. (KBB)