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Want a better marriage?

The most important relationship you will ever have is with GOD. The second most important relationship is with your SPOUSE.  We all have a habit of digging deep into the Word, joining Christian groups, and offering help in the name of Jesus. God always wants to move in our hearts and out into our relationships-especially marriage.  

  • Realize no marriage is perfect! This should encourage you-because we are humans with a sin nature and selfish tendency. If your marriage was perfect, you couldn’t see God change you or the situation. God loves to be needed.    
  • Realize we all want to grow in this area! Whether we can verbalize it or not, we all want a thriving marriage built on the constancy of Christ.  He has designed His people to want to grow in all areas of life.  God will show you where you need to grow-if you ask Him to reveal Himself through His Word and the counsel of godly friends.  
  • Realize encouragement is KEY!  Begin now to “speak” the language of encouragement in your marriage.   Come in deep humility and ask God to help you train your tongue now to speak words of life and not death to your spouse.  Practice being kind-it’s just not natural. Start now: are there 3 things your spouse has done this week that you appreciated? Tell him or her verbally , in a note, or even in a text.  Get ready! THIS will change your marriage relationship!

 

 

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Room for a New View

An issue ALL women can agree on is our corporate struggle with  identity! How do we stay secure in WHO we are and not live in the constantly-changing world view of beauty? As always,  we have to recognize first IT’S A SPIRITUAL ISSUE.   

1. Our View of God- The challenge is always “Do I believe what the Bible says about God’s Identity or what the world says? Do I believe my ever-changing feelings or what the strong wall of His Word says? These are the questions we women ask ourselves when we struggle. All of us want ideas that work. One of my favorite ideas (that  help!) is called “replacement thinking”. We write out 2-3 verses about WHO God is . (Isaiah 40, Ephesians 1, and Colossians 1 are POWER-packed!) I love to tape verses to your mirror, print out Bible verses on a card to put in my car. We can put the Word in places where we have to see it! I promise, you’ll gradually read it, speak it, and believe it. When the enemy of our souls (who often works through the lies of the world) whispers, “You are not enough! You are not lovable! You’ll never have victory!”, we push back with the unchanging WORD.

2. Our View of ourselves  I love hanging out with younger gals and listen to them chat about fashion! Sure enough, if I go back 15..er…20 years, we all wore the same things! (Remind me to just keep all of my Old Navy clothes!) I’ve lived denim overalls, black chunky shoes, smoky eyeshadow, high-waist jeans (formerly know as “mom jeans”) BIG hair, flat hair..and (I admit it!) crimped hair! You too? In a world where fashion changes in a New York minute, how will I choose to to stay secure in me? What is a healthy “taking care of ourselves” and when does it turn to obsession or vanity? I have to  step outside my emotions and check my thinking with honest questions.

“Why do I feel I need to look like that?”

“Why do I feel I need to buy that to be happy?”

“What am I watching or listening to that feeds my insecurity?”

Half of our battle will always be recognizing our thoughts for what they are (truth or lie) and placing the Word of God right alongside it! Let’s read truth (The book of John), receive truth by faith (The book of Colossians), and perceive truth (The book of Ephesians).

Isn’t it amazing that Jesus cares about defeating evil in the world  AND our personal insecurities? We have no idea how very deep His heart is for daughters. He loves us so very fully and we are chosen to reflect His beauty!

Tristie Fisher

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Tired of drama in your friendships? 4 ways to change it!

There’s nothing in the world like the fun & support of a great group of gal pals!! We women know how love our friends fiercely! Yet, we know that when God gives a gift (like female friendship!) the enemy tries to take it.

The enemy’s will for you is always the same: Distract, Discourage, & Divide. The enemy uses these strategies because they work! He DOES NOT want you to have good & deep friendships. He loves it when God’s people battle!

What’s our strategy when conflict arises or feelings are hurt?

 1. STEP BACK! We all like to think we know what the other person is thinking.  We don’t. Choose to believe the best about your friend

2. In every conflict, LOOK WITHIN first. Ask yourself,”Did I hurt this friend unknowingly?”

3. Choose NOT to be offended! Pride blocks peace! Go low.

3. ASK GOD to pull out any root of bitterness you carry toward a friend(s). Stop rehearsing hurtful things said to you. You CHOOSE freedom!

4. LEARN HOW to fight jealousy. It will always be part of our flesh. When you smell the odor of jealousy creeping up, say to yourself, “God has a great plan for me-He made me gifted & beautiful. I don’t want anyone else’s life-I want mine!” Does this help today? Know that God wants to bless you with rich female friendships centered on Himself! He wants your relationships to radiate the peace of Jesus-based sacrificial love to a lonely world.