But, God…
Struggling in your marriage? Talk to a mentor.
Recently, in my quiet time with the Lord, He showed me that I have been putting the “but” in the wrong place. I have been saying to myself “God has called me to this, but…”
My husband, Allan, has been encouraging me with the words “but, I thought God called you to this?” He means, stand up, make every effort, trust God, and be confident. This is what God has called me to. Allan is right.
Do you see the difference?
Allan is saying “but God” with the focus on the Lord. No matter what happens, no matter what obstacle, no matter what challenge, you have a faithful Father who has called you and will enable, equip, and provide you with everything you need to do His will. My focus has been the obstacles, the challenges, the glitches and anything else standing in the way. I have put my “but” in the wrong place.
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2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 reminded me:
“But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”
Notice the verbs, they are not conditional. He is faithful. He will strengthen you. These are God’s promises for me and for you. He will guard you from the evil one. He will enable you to do every thing He asks of you. He will enable you to obey Him. He will lead your heart into a full understanding of His love. He will enable you to tangibly express His love in words and deeds. He will give you the ability to endure patiently…if you will allow Him.
Father, you are faithful. Thank you for your strength for every moment of the day ahead. Thank you for your protection from the evil one. Thank You for your enabling to do all that You ask of me this day. Please fill me with Your Spirit and empower me to do your will. Deepen my understanding of Your love today. Enable me to express your love to others today in words and in deeds. Please give me the ability to endure patiently …I am inviting You to permeate my life. No matter what happens today, BUT GOD! I love You.
Questions: Where are you putting your “but”? Do you face your struggles and wonder how God can help or do you face your struggles saying “But, GOD…”? What is the Lord asking you to endure patiently? How can you express His love in words and deeds today?
About the Author Donna Mitchell
6 Responses to “But, God…”
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Hi Lisa,
You mentioned that your husband is a veteran and I wondered if you knew that there is a section of this site for military families:
militarylives.com
This area has prayer times specifically for military families along with articles and chats. I wish that we had no need for soldiers, but sadly there are many women (& men) walking unfamiliar territory when a deployed spouse comes home. You might find some like-minded people there.
I wish there was a way to properly thank your husband for his service, and you for your sacrifice. It is an incredible thing to look a threat in the face and say “I’ll go. I will walk out and meet it.” We live in the freedom they bought and at such a cost. Until they write a better word for it, thank you.
I have appreciated all of your comments and wrestling with what it means to trust the Lord and look to Him in the midst of our circumstances. When in the midst of difficult circumstances, I would agree with seeking counsel. The devotional is saying that no matter what He asks of us – He will enable us to do His will. Walking with our focus on God regardless of difficult circumstances, or painful outcomes, is never easy. But He enables us as we let Him.
That comes close to how my husband behaves too. He has been through a lot in his life, and is struggling with the traumatic effects of being an Iraqi war veteran, and so I try to be as understanding as I possibly can. The man I know and love is in there somewhere, and my heart melts like butter whenever I get a peek at him.
You just have to make sure that your BUTT is in the right place, where God wants it to be! I loved this devotional this morning. I’m not sure if I’m the only one that came out of it with the other “butt” too, but I guess these speak to us all in different ways. What a blessing! Trisha and Lisa, I will keep you both in my prayers. Take care ladies.
WOW, Trisha. “Emotionally distant God-hater” That comes close to how my husband behaves. Last night I heard foul and offensive conversation between him and my youngest (17), and I was repulsed. I have struggled also in my marriage, and continue to do so, albeit not to abuse. My husband is a good man and provider, but is what I view as emotionally immature. Combine with my sensitive nature, and this makes for a perpetually damaged heart.
I most definitely do NOT want to divorce him, and I have seen God perform miracles in our relationship, but also live in emotional pain (and baggage for some bad decisions) most days of my life.
I just try to persevere because I think this might be how God reaches my husband and family. It is very difficult, but with God, I know I can do it!
Trisha, divorce is not a good thing, but You had doubts about this marriage from the beginning, and yes you do need to trust God, but if you are in a relationship that isn’t working, seek help, a pastor or a counselor or a friend to help you to make a decision , God will be there with you, and he understands every heartache and hardships that you are going thru… I will be praying for you.
i’ve printed this one out bec i need to read and reread it. i must have NOT been hearing my two marriages as the “call” of God bec i couldn’t STAY in them, trusting God or not. The first one i tolerated for 12 yrs. 12 years of living with an emotionally distant God hater. i didn’t divorce for the longest time bec i figured God would get “mad” at me. i was such a babe in Christ. The second one i REALLY thought WAS a call from God bec he was a well respected man in the church i attended. After 3 yrs of NOT wanting to marry him, i hoped it WAS God and went for it. ONE year into the marriage, i discovered this man was a secret alcoholic. The abuse i put up with contributed to the cancer already growing inside of me and again thinking God might get “mad” at me, i stayed. When i couldn’t take it anymore and the situation contiuned to worsened, i left and got a divorce. i don’t believe God calls anyone into misery do you? The Bible i read says HE calls us to Peace and Joy and yes there will be tribulation… so, i’m not perfectly CLEAR on what you are implying here. Are you saying to trust God and STAY in the struggling marriage?