by Pastor Anna Gresham

Enjoying the movement and the moment…it’s a choice.

Romans 14:17 (NLT)
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit!
Joy endures in all seasons.
Joy rejoices in all seasons.
Joy brings strength in all seasons.

I love small moments just as much as big moments.

It’s your choice. Being led by the spirit of God is your choice. The joy of the Lord is always available.

Set healthy boundaries for fun events – this is not a time to have life-altering conversations.

Set healthy expectations – what are you hoping for? Talk to your spouse about it all.

Airing grievances should be reserved for a separate time. Ask your spouse, “When is a good time to talk about this?”

Side note: Not everything is an issue. Are you being too sensitive? Or is this something that needs to be addressed?

Find common ground. Find what you can both enjoy, and make every effort to do it.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Guard your heart: out of it springs the issues of life.
Remember, my heart may be right, but my methods might be wrong.

Ask these questions: 

1. How can I help? What do you need? If you really care about your people, you want to help them. Worry doesn’t help. Fear doesn’t fix my marriage. What will help and actually get results? Go to God and pray in faith to open your heart to the Word of the Lord and what He says!

Philippians 4:4 -9 (NLT)
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

2. Am I thankful? Am I showing gratitude? Am I saying “thank you” out loud, to their face? Being sweet on social media is fine, unless that’s the only way you show your spouse gratefulness or love. Face-to-face thankfulness is where it’s at.

Children of God are to be led by the spirit of God, not by feelings. We are growing and maturing in Christ. Christ rules my heart, and my emotions are submitted to Him! What does He say?

Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

3. Am I affectionate? What affection does my spouse need?

Enjoyment has a sound: joy and laughter, praise and honor, a sound that brings glory to the Lord.

Galatians 5:22-26 (NLT)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.