Courage & Strength

In the view of the world, when a wife decides to leave her husband, the husband should then: "move on", "find someone else", "give up on his wife", etc, etc. Thoughts or feelings that the husband should seek Our Lord for His divine intervention are rarely ever even considered. Never considered by anyone - not the family, friends, husband...certainly not the wife. It's just not the way the world does things. To ask Jesus for His divine assistance is going against the world.

So how do you go against the world? What do you need? From what I have learned during my time standing in the gap for my wife and praying for my wife's salvation, one needs courage and strength. But during the circumstances of being in a separation, or during a divorce, courage and strength can be hard to come by. At least hard to come by on your own.

You can get that needed courage and strength through God's word. Jesus depended upon the Word when He was faced with the devil's lies and temptations. So if Jesus relied on the Word, so should we. The Word of God is like a powerful sword we should be using to face the challenging circumstances we are going through.

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you ... No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.  Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:3-9

David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20

There is very inspiring song by the Christian band Casting Crowns called "Courageous". The song is quickly becoming my anthem for being a better father, husband and spiritual leader to my family.  Here are a few of my favorite verses from that song – the lines in red just seemed to resonate with me about a call to stand for my marriage:

___________________________________
"Courageous"

We were made to be courageous
We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation
That finally breaks the chains

We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we're watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of our hearts cry
We will serve the lord

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

This is our resolution
Our answer to the call
We will love our wives and children
We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion
That we buried deep inside
May the watchers become warriors
Let the men of god arise

In the war of the mind I will make my stand (seek justice. love mercy. walk humbly with your God)
In the battle of the heart and the battle of the hand (seek justice. love mercy. walk humbly with your God)
___________________ 

Men we have been called to  stand unafraid, to take back the fight, to refuse to let your wives and family fall.

Be a warrior for your marriage, family, wife.  Pray for strength and guidance.  Learn and depend on the Word.  Be courageous.

Blessings.

Lonely Times Away from Our Spouse - A Gift?

Oh when we are apart from our spouse the times can be very difficult.  Yes, we have our job, and possibly children and other responsibilities to occupy us.  But the thoughts of our spouse and family are never far away.  But then there are the times when we are really alone, just by ourselves.  Maybe it is the weekend and you are not working, or if you are dividing the children’s time with your spouse, maybe it is a time when they are with your spouse.  I have found that those are the most difficult times.  It is easy to see how one could become depressed. 

I have found that these times can be …

-         Lonely

-         Painful

-         Endless

-         Frightening

-         Frustrating

But you need to get rid of these worldly feelings.  These feelings can take over your entire day or existence.  You sit and think about how things are and wonder constantly how things could have gone so wrong.  Then, before you know it, the day is gone and you’ve just been consumed with these thoughts and feelings.  And, nothing has changed.  All of your circumstances are the same.  And you still feel horrible.

There is a better way.  You can remember that you have been given a difficult and very important assignment from God.  An assignment to fight for your spouse and marriage in the spiritual realm.  This is probably the first time you ever had to do anything like this.  I believe that the sooner you can transition into a spiritual mindset, and release yourself from drowning in the worldly feelings, the sooner you can really work on this assignment from God.

Instead of focusing on those worldly feelings, I try to shift to my focus to make these alone times…

·      Prayerful – prayer is so important.  It is our time to fellowship with Our Creator.  The scriptures instruct us to always pray and to have faith that our prayers are heard.

Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21: 36(NKJV)

And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive. Matthew 21: 22

Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. Colossians 4: 2

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. Philippians 4: 6

The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord receives my prayer. Psalm 6: 9

·       Enlightening – gaining knowledge of God’s Word and becoming educated in the scriptures assists us in our assignment.  It starts, and ends, with regular study and reading of God’s Word and seeking Godly wisdom.

For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. James 1: 5

With the aged [you say] is wisdom, and with length of days comes understanding. But [only] with [God] are [perfect] wisdom and might; He [alone] has [true] counsel and understanding. Job 12: 12-13

He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered. Proverbs 28: 26

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Proverbs 4: 7(NKJV)

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)! Romans 11: 33

·       Peaceful – Yes, these times can be peaceful and through Our Lord you can extinguish the worry and anxieties.  His Word tells us that we should not worry for that feeling is not from Him.  Trust in God brings peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. (John 14:27)

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me (Jesus). (John 14:1)

And my God will supply all your needs according to His Riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

·        Spirit-filled – being filled with the Holy Spirit is not something that is just for a select few, it is for all believers.  No conditions are placed upon this gift except faith in Christ.  Become filled with God’s Spirit through strengthening your faith.  Strengthen your faith is part of our assignment.

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. "  John 7: 37-39

In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

Yes the times we are alone are difficult.  But I believe, if you focus on the “unseen” you can see these times as a very special gift - a gift to help us become prayerful, educated in Godly wisdom, to experience God’s peace, and to become filled with God’s Spirit.  So maybe we should be thankful for these times when we are alone. Maybe it’s just part of our assignment.