<p> Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. Romans 12:10 NET </p> <p> For He has not turned away from the suffering of the one in pain or trouble. He has not hidden His face from him. But He has heard his cry for help. Psalm 22:2 NLV </p> <p> But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3 ESV </p> <p> In Psalm 3:3 David cries out to God asking him to be a shield and a “lifter of my head.” This lifting is a gift you can offer to your spouse. Essentially your way of being present says to them that you will not join the ranks of anyone who shames them for being “too much” or “not enough” or for “being too out of step morally”, and so on. You are there to lift their downcast eyes to a loving gaze that forgives and welcomes the weak and the wounded back home. </p> <p> We ALL experience seasons of pain and suffering, and we experience seasons of being able to offer comfort and care. Both thread through our individual stories and our marriages. This is not their first or their last difficult season, but it is part of their growth and maturity, and the deepening of intimacy in your marriage relationship. In a sense, it helps to convey, “You are right on time, and this is familiar to Jesus—He is well acquainted with grief. We are in this together.” </p> <p> What an opportunity to see, hear, honor, and engage each other, as people on the same path, on the journey and adventure of marriage, meeting in a sacred moment arranged for by God for his purposes in your two lives and your marriage! </p> <p> In marriage, we are able to hurt each other more deeply or care for each other more beautifully than anyone else on the planet. Within marriage, we get to be the one who chooses to share in our spouse’s pain and gently hold their wounds instead of offering solutions or fixes. You have the unique honor to sit quietly with your spouse in moments of uncertainty or despair, to remain by their side in times of loss or sorrow, to embrace the unknown and face the challenges of life without the need to solve or heal, to be the one who truly cares. </p> <p> What if you could practice caring for your spouse this way? </p> <p> <strong>As you ponder all this with God today, consider asking Him:</strong> </p> <p> <em>Father, show me when you have been the God of all comfort in my story; when you or someone else has lifted my head while I was lonely, feeling overwhelmed, heartbroken, or grieving.</em> </p> <p> <em>Jesus, when I’ve shared my story, how has my heart been handled? How has my spouse cared for my heart?</em> </p> <p> <em>Holy Spirit, help me to name the hurting places in my heart and story. Comforter, tend to these hurting places, and bring your healing balm.</em> </p></body> Bible App Reading Plan PDF Download File listening-in-your-marriage-youversion-bible-app-reading-plan.pdf
