New Year, New Mindset

Happy New Year! I hope your Christmas season was a blessed one where in Christ you were able to treat your husband as a gift. Now that it's January, it's a month typical of goals and resolutions. Let 2009 be a year where striving for oneness in marriage is a constant seeking for you. As we learned at a FamilyLife Marriage Conference, every relationship goes one of two ways: isolation or oneness. Let's choose oneness! I struggle as much as the next person and I know there are times I want to say or do something to I get my way. With a new year, let's ask God to give us a new mindset concerning our marriage.

1. Ask God to give you a covenant mentality. Covenant is more than a business contract that you can find a loophole. Covenant is a solemn agreement between God and you. You purpose to keep it no matter what. Please understand I know there are biblical reasons for a marriage to break, I'm not talking about that. I mean those times you're frustrated, weary and just want out. A covenant mentality says I'm in it for the long haul where divorce is not uttered or fantasized.

2. Be a blessing! Again, FamilyLife gave us great information about when you are wronged in marriage(again, a hurtful remark or something like that). My first reaction is I'm going to hurt you back. I tend to curse a curse. Let 2009 be the year where we bless back, even when cursed. It's a process, it won't be overnight.

3. Laugh more than cry. There were times I stuck myself in such a rut I thought crying was my only option. There are times tears are good and helpful. Just don't let it be your reaction every time. I'm sensing a new season in our marriage because I'm laughing. Even with the stress of the economy and the tension that can bring to marriage, my husband and I have been goofier than we have in a long time. Only God can bring that kind of joy over circumstances, ask Him!

I want to adopt these principles into my marriage this year and beyond. Care to join me? We can keep this discussion going over at the social network Christian Women Take Root. Remember, you are free to start discussions as well as answer any current ones at Marriage: Striving for Oneness!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13