I had a speaking engagement this weekend at a women’s event. As I was preparing, I had several moments of, “Why did I agree to this!?!” I was at my mom’s for some of the time and she watched the kids, let me practice on her, and gave me some great ideas. The subject was Spiritual Warfare mostly on the Shield of Faith. Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. The way that we can combat those fiery arrows is by believing God’s truth over Satan’s lies. I felt like I was being attacked during this time, and when I recognized it for what it was I realized that God thinks I can handle this. So, bring it on Satan. With my faith in God, your temptations for me to sin will be totally extinguished by my Shield of Faith!!
So what was I being tempted with? For whatever reason my husband has not asked me once about what I was speaking on or how it went. Today at church he was standing right next to me and many ladies said so many sweet things to me about how much the message spoke to their hearts. But, the man I care the most for and whose opinion I value the most said nothing.
Instead of being upset with what he has not done for me or how I wish he would have treated me, I thought: What haven’t I done for him and what does he wish I would have done for him? Men and women are so different. After being married almost eleven years, I am finally starting to figure some things out :)
I am very selfish by nature. I think that I am special stuff if I am kind to people or serve them. But what happens if they don’t appreciate me? What happens if they don’t respond the way I had planned in my head? Who am I serving? Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men.”
This is such a great reminder. Yes, I have had a conversation with God that sounds something like this. “Look at how well I cleaned the toilet or I was able to clean the puke out of the car seat and didn’t just leave it by the side of the road! Isn’t that great God!!” Because I did that for the Lord, not for recognition from men. I do like recognition, but I am able to get it from God. I have been practicing going to Him to meet my needs.
I have faith that God’s design for marriage is right. I trust and believe that I must fight for my marriage. I need to protect myself from being vulnerable to an affair emotional or otherwise and the best way to do that is to be spiritually mature leading to a strong marriage. So ladies, FIGHT. Fight Satan and how Satan would tempt you to be discouraged in your circumstances with the Word of God.
You’ll probably be hearing more on Spiritual Warfare :) ~Julia
Julia Forshee
Absolutely, most of our disappointments come from missed expectations. Often those around us don’t even know what our expectations are. For that matter we don’t realize we have them either until they are missed. I totally agree keeping God our focus is the best way to get through this life on earth!!
A. Cruz
I think we are all selfish by nature! It’s interesting, but I have found that the worst side of me has come forth since I became a teacher, wife, and mom. The responsibilities that come with each of these roles make my selfish nature rear its ugly head. If I really think about it, I am most upset when my kids or my husband aren’t behaving the way I want them too! I think the problem for me is that I find my identity in the success of who I am as a teacher, wife, and mom. I need to constantly refocus and remind myself that at times my kids, my husband, and my students will disappoint me. However, God will never disappoint me and therefore it is important that I find my identity first and foremost in Him!
amy mayen
That’s a great post! I never thought of it like that…I’m pretty selfish by nature too. A new perspective for me!
Anonymous
Yes, yes, Yes Julia! So encouraging and so true. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing the real feelings you were/are experiencing and how you went to the Lord instead of letting resentment build. I would have loved to hear you speak! Also, I came onto your blog to connect you with a dear friend I homeschool with… she is a blogger as well, so I thought I would share her site with you… both of your blogs are encouraging to me (although I’m not goo about keeping up with much online!). http://www.craftyhomeschoolmama.blogspot.com
Julia Forshee
Thank you so much for your encouraging words!! I will definitely check her site out!!