Devotion from Chuck Weiskircher
The following is this week's devotion from long-time church member Chuck Weiskircher about strengthening our marriages and treating our spouses with care. Chuck serves in the Men's Ministry and Welcome Ministry here at the church.
Be gentle with each other, especially with our spouse.
Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Giving a warm yielding answer turns away harsh attitudes and prevents them from escalating. We should not think it enough not to begin strife and contention; but that, if others begin it, we should not continue it by rough answers, but endeavor to make an end of it, by softening the matter. We should be willing to yield much for the sake of tranquility. Draw close together and either hold hands or simply touch your spouse with affection and the hurt and anger will drain away and you will be able to focus on the problem and work together to solve it. Remember you as a couple are a team. You both need to work together to build family strength. As you lift each other up in prayer and by acts of kindness the team gets stronger. Facing external pressures together (illness, financial struggles, family value issues, work stress) divides the burdens in half. Sharing and overcoming failures or shortcomings divides the burdens just as sharing successes and joy in life together doubles the joy of them.
Live to laugh
Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
It is a great mercy we have from God that he allows us to be cheerful in our lives. Joy in our hearts is simply an attitude of gratitude and a fruit of the Holy Spirit living within us. Express early and often your heartfelt gratefulness for your spouse’s love of you and your family. Even scientists can evaluate the good that comes from being cheerful. Life is hard but humor can soften the sharp edges. If you look for it, you will find humor daily in your life and your marriage. As you both find things in your family or marriage to laugh about, your stress levels will decline and joy levels will increase.
Work together to lift each other up
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
The generous person who loves his spouse will have an easier time going through the rough places in life than the curmudgeon who tries to do everything on their own. The two together will be warmer and safer together. Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Christ will by his Spirit come to them; then there is a threefold cord that is not easily broken. What a joy to know without a doubt that you have a spouse that will be there supporting you if you fall. And what a comfort it is for them to know you support them in the same way.
Chuck