God’s Encouragement
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3.
A vital step to the growth of any marriage is learning to reflect the Word of God as it relates to marriage.
Some couples discuss the meaning of one particular passage of Scripture.
Then they both describe how they will put this passage into practice during the coming week.
The following Scripture passages can be used for this purpose in your marriage:
• Love one another (John 13:34).
• Carry each other’s burdens (Gal 6:2).
• Bearing with one another in love (Eph. 4:2).
• Serve one another (Gal. 5:13).
• Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21).
• In humility consider others better than yourselves (Phil. 2:3).
• Be kind and compassionate to one another (Eph. 4:32).
• Honor one another (Rom. 12:10).
• Encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11a).
• Build each other up (1 Thess. 5:11b).
• Accept one another (Rom. 15:7).
• Instruct one another (Rom. 15:14).
• Have equal concern for each other (1 Cor. 12:25).
• Pray for each other (Jas. 5:16).
Time and time again, the Word of God admonishes us to behave in a positive and encouraging way.
And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you (Eph. 4:32, Amp.).
Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].
Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive] (Col. 3:12,13, Amp.).
I recently read a news story about a small airplane that had been lost. The pilot’s wife called the authorities to tell them her husband had gone flying the day before and had never returned.
Their first question was, “Did he file a flight plan?” Because the pilot had not filed a flight plan, the rescuers were unable to help. They had no way to determine where this pilot was planning to fly.
They couldn’t begin to devise a search and rescue plan.
Pilots usually file a flight plan to help them determine course settings and let others know their intended destination.
Marriage is no different. Filing a flight plan removes an added element of risk from the marital journey. True, you might still run into occasional turbulence.
Having no automatic pilot, you might begin to drift off course if you don’t keep your eyes on the compass and your hands on the controls at all times.
Can you envision using the previous Scriptures as the flight plan and guiding compass for attitudes and behavior within your family?
Practicing God’s words of encouragement offers another important way to actively build your marriage.
H. Norman Wright
H. Norman Wright is a licensed Family Counselor and child therapist and has taught in the Grad. Department of Biola University. He is the author of more than seventy books
