Spiritually Unequal Marriage

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Weekend Devo – Blow Away Again…By You

My dear and precious friends,  Yesterday I read all your comments on our post from August 6th about our visit with FamilyLife Today. I am blown away and so very…

WriteLetterMy dear and precious friends, 

Yesterday I read all your comments on our post from August 6th about our visit with FamilyLife Today. I am blown away and so very humbled.

To read your stories and hear your hearts in each one…I cried. My daughter walked in and asked me what was wrong. I showed her the page on my computer screen and told her how amazed and humbled and honored and blessed I am, to be used by God to help others, to be a part of this community. 

She asked, "So those are happy tears?!"

Oh, yes, very happy tears. Grateful tears. Tears of joy.

So, today I want to tell all of you how precious each and every one of you are to us. I know Lynn and I have said this before but we really do pray over all of you. At times we cry, other times we laugh and rejoice with you.

You've heard me say God blows me away. Well, you blow me away too. You may think you're not doing very well; maybe you feel like you're failing in your marriage or in your relationship with God (I feel that way at times too, btw), but just the fact that you come here to share your heart openly, that you're seeking God for wisdom and guidance, that you desire to honor God and do what He asks for the sake of your marriage and your desire to know God better…

Well, that tells me you're far from failing, dear friends. You are thriving! Did you know that? You are flourishing. You are succeeding. Victory doesn't mean easy. It's means reaching that place of overcoming and knowing God's joy and peace right where we are.

And you are there! This is our shared journey and I am so grateful and honored and humbled and blessed beyond words to be on the path with you.

Love you all so very much,
Your sister in Christ,
Dineen 

Comments

27 responses

  1. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Amen Dineen,
    I read them yesterday as well. My heart swelled with love. I prayed a lot. Am headed out now for my walk n pray and will pray some more.
    One day all of us in this community will gather together in front of the Mercy seat, the throne of our Lord, we will shout with joy, hug necks and WORSHIP together. This day will be one of the pinnacle days of my entire existence. I long for that day. Hugging you my friend. Lynn

    Reply
  2. Martha Bush Avatar
    Martha Bush

    And I am hugging you both. Often I re-read my journal of times past. It helps me to see where I have been, where I am now, and hints of where God is directing me to go.
    So, as I look back a year ago,I had just finished reading, doing my homework in it, and preparing to teach it in Sept. Two months prior to that encounter, I was pretty discouraged over such a long journey. How God changes things through so quickly and uses other people in the process. Thank you both for the journey. (Where have you been all my married life?)

    Reply
  3. Martha Bush Avatar
    Martha Bush

    I left out the most important phrase: reading your book, Winning Him Without Words. – -Sorry.

    Reply
  4. Teresa t Avatar
    Teresa t

    We love and pray for you two also. Your words are enlightening and encouraging. I look forward to checking here each day.

    Reply
  5. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    love, hugs, and prayers to you sweet friend.

    Reply
  6. Tami Avatar
    Tami

    thank you so much for this encouragement. I’ve really been feeling like I’m definitely failing at “winning him without words”. I’m struggling with what decisions to make, either way my husband seems angry. Praying for wisdom and discernment. Thank you for being here.

    Reply
  7. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    This community has been such a blessing to me. I recently found this website and was overjoyed to know I am not the only one in this kind of situation. God has taught me so much about living out 1 Corinthians 13 in my married life and it’s not always easy. Thank you for creating a place where I can come for encouragement!

    Reply
  8. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    What a glorious day that will be! Hugging you back! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    LOL! Martha, I just gotta say, you ROCK, woman! Getting to know you has been a true blessing this past year. Love seeing how God is working in our lives! Go God!!!

    Reply
  10. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    And I look forward to reading your comments, Teresa. Love your insights, my friend. Hugs!

    Reply
  11. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    Love and hugs back, Denise!

    Reply
  12. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    Hi Tami, I prayed for you as I read your comment, joining you in prayer for wisdom and discernment. God will supply what you need, my friend. Hugs!

    Reply
  13. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    So glad you know you’re not alone, Jennifer! Standing with you! Hugs!

    Reply
  14. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    Just got home from vacation with my wonderful family last night and this was the first post that I’ve read since I’ve been back. What a blessing this community is indeed! I’m so thankful.
    Dineen, I love the phrase “victory doesn’t mean easy.” For so many years, I thought I was failing because things weren’t coming EASY.
    Lynn, I LOVE the visual of us all hugging and worshiping at the throne of our LORD! Truly, a day to look forward to.

    Reply
  15. Tami Avatar
    Tami

    Thank you so much! Today he “blew up” again about something. I don’t know what to do. He won’t talk to me about anything, he just yells. I don’t know how much more I can take of this.

    Reply
  16. Carolyn Avatar
    Carolyn

    THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO! SUCH A BLESSING ONLINE AND WISH i COULD MEET YOU IN PERSON! I have been feeling down lately, for things just don’t seem to be going the way I had planned. Yes,that’s right, I told God what a great plan it would be if he would work in my husband’s heart this way…. and well… I once again have to tell myself that the Master of the Universe, really doesn’t need my help in how he works in my husband’s hearts. He doesn’t need my ideas, but Gosh, they sounded so good! 🙂 Anyway, picking myself up again and trying to once again turn it all over to God. Thanks for helping me on this journey!
    Love and Hugs!

    Reply
  17. Heather Passuello Avatar
    Heather Passuello

    Since I don’t have internet at home, I am a little late on posting, but better late than never right? Anyway, I feels so blessed that we have encouraged you! Just this morning during my quiet time with God, both you and Lynn came to mind and the work that you are doing for His Kingdom! You are both great encouragers and much appreciated!
    I’m going to take a side note here, a post or two ago, someone commented about how God brings her deer/wildlife instead of feathers for worship. Well, I shared a couple of my own experiences about deer in my life. It happened again this morning. It hit me that I only see the deer close to my house after I have taken time out for the Lord and was in a peaceful place. Yeah, God loves to delight me too!
    Lately, I too have been feeling like a failure as far as “winning him without words.” It’s sad when your husband doesn’t notice a good change in you. He just thinks your cranky and opinionated all the time. I admit that I speak my mind alot, is there really something wrong with that? Don’t get me wrong, Joe and I are doing really good for the most part. He never ceases to amaze me with the little things!
    Great Post Dineen, love ya friend!

    Reply
  18. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    Hi Tami,
    I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this. Sounds like you’re husband may be struggling with anger or some specific issue or both. Do you think he’d be willing to go to counseling with you? Anger needs to be dealt with. It won’t just go away. Whatever is at the root of it needs to be addressed or it will just grow. Please pray about this. Email me privately if you want to talk more and want some recommendations on where to start to find a Christian counselor. Lifting you in prayer, my friend. God is there and He will give you the strength and courage you need to walk whatever path He’s calling you to, and your hubby.

    Reply
  19. Gabrielle Avatar
    Gabrielle

    I suffered a lot of guilt for a lot of years becouse I grew up in the church and was always taught not to be unequally yoked together with an unbeliever and I always said I would not but when my life strayed away from God and I got tired of waiting to meet the right Christian man (btw I was looking in all the wrong places) I somehow got involved with my husband. Now 9 years and 5 kids later I feel like I am really learning why We are not to be unequally yoked and it is such a struggle in so many ways. I do not share this with many people and I feel very alone it is nice to see other people truelly following after God in the same situation as me. Any advice you can give is much appreciated. I need to pray more and seek the face of God. God bless you all and thank you for sharing this is an awesome place.

    Reply
  20. Gabrielle Avatar
    Gabrielle

    I defiantly understand where you are coming from my husband doesn’t talk much and when he does there’s a good chance it will be yelling. Lord Jesus please be with Tami show her your love comfort and security in you. Thank you Lord that you can be enuogh for us even when our husbands hurt us so much. Please be with Tami in every way and help her to grow in you give her your resources Lord to make it through this difficult time wisdom and patience and please Lord help her to seek your face in all things. Thank you Lord that you truelly are enough!

    Reply
  21. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    Hi Gabrielle! I just wanted to say I read your post and it seems a bit similar to my own past. I was raised in church, but somehow I just got tired of waiting for the right Christian man and there you go (and here I am, I’ve been in a SUM for 17 years). I just want to encourage you to seek God first. Seek Him with your whole heart, soul and mind. Let go of the guilt. The guilt drug me down for years, and I still struggle with it occasionally. But I believe it’s a tool satan uses to keep us from growing in our Faith. I also really do recommend Lynn & Dineen’s book if you haven’t yet read it. Reading it was a turning point in my relationship with both my husband and with God. Also, I KNOW the loneliness! This site is so helpful with that! Best wishes & HUGS!!!

    Reply
  22. Gabrielle Avatar
    Gabrielle

    Thanks Brenda I appreciate the encouragement !

    Reply
  23. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    One day we will get to hug each other, Carolyn, either in this life or the next, and it will be wonderful! Hugs!

    Reply
  24. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    Love you too, Heather! We’re believing together! 🙂

    Reply
  25. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    Hi Gabrielle, being a part of this SUM community is a vital step to dealing with that loneliness, I think you already see that. We are stronger together and uphold and encourage each other through words and prayers. You are not alone, my friend, and you need to hear this right now. God forgives you for the past. It’s done. That guilt is not from him. As Brenda so wisely said, the enemy loves to use that to tear us down, tear down our faith, and tear down our testimony. Why? Because you are the closest thing to Jesus with skin on in your husband’s life. The enemy will fight you all the way to keep your husband’s soul. It’s not your job to save him but God will work through you in amazing ways to not only reach your husband but to grow your faith, strengthen you, and draw you into a deep relationship with Him. That’s what God wants most from you right now, is to just set your focus on Him, seek and spend time in His presence and in the Bible. This is a precious time for you to grow in your faith and your relationship with God. He adores you and is waiting to bless you in all these ways. Look upward, my friend. God is there and He is waiting for you. Love you dearly in Jesus and I am praying for you today! Hugs!

    Reply
  26. GabrielleSpada Avatar
    GabrielleSpada

    Thank you Dineen I needed to hear that.

    Reply
  27. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    You’re welcome, Gabrielle. Hugs!

    Reply

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