Archive for STRAIGHT TALK for Wives Blog
DO NOT GIVE UP!
Posted by: | Comments“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance”
1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)
Marriages are the school God uses to teach us how to love no matter what. There’s no better environment for God to use than your relationship with your husband. When you go through seasons of pain and incompatibility, DON’T GIVE UP!
Remember God only gives you circumstances He knows you can handle. You may not think so, but He does and that is all that matters. Do not depend on what you feel today, what you see today, or what you know today…today is temporary. Keep your eyes on God; He can see tomorrow.
Read “Hope for real relationships when disappointed” by Pastor Tom at Saddleback Church!
God Works in Our Marriages Even if We Have Doubts!
Posted by: | Comments“The father instantly replied, ‘I do believe, but help me not to doubt!’” Mark 9:24
We can be honest with God when we have doubts. He knows we have them. The father in this story is replying to Jesus’ 
statement in verse 23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Jesus went ahead and healed the man’s son even though he admitted to having doubts.
Everyday I weigh the statements and comments my husband makes and then with my own understanding make judgments whether or not He is moving toward Christ or away from him. This is a trap because Satan also put thoughts into my head and they are always negative. So when I constantly analyze my husband’s spiritual condition on a daily basis I find myself constantly feeling doubtful.
Thankfully, I am able to use my daily quiet time to refocus and refill with God’s promises and this verse in Mark chapter 9 gives me hope that even if I have doubts He will still work His miracles. Memorizing scripture has also been an enormous help when those doubtful thoughts come into my head throughout the day!
-Kristy
Words That Build Up!
Posted by: | Comments“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29
When I was eleven, I attended a Junior High “Lock-in” at my church. We were playing games and having fun when one of the leaders came up to me and another girl and asked us to come with them. We followed them downstairs to the basement where there was a youth pastor who had come down from Kansas City, I think, to speak to us kids that night. I said “I think” because I don’t remember anything that happened at the church after this brief encounter with him. He said that God had told him to tell us that we were going to grow up into strong women of God and then he wanted to pray for us.
That is all I remember about that whole event. To this day, 28 years later, his words have remained embedded in my mind. I didn’t know who he was because we had never met before that night yet his words have impacted my life like nothing else. In fact I think I might just start a little search to see if I can contact the leaders who were there to see if they remember who he was so that I can thank him for those incredibly powerful words.
So how about your words? Are they encouraging those around you or are they damaging those around you? Our words can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Don’t waste another minute. Email someone you love and let them know how special they are.
That Pastor who spoke those encouraging words to me probably has no idea that I can still remember that moment like it was yesterday.
How to Handle Parenting Criticism
Posted by: | Comments“I come to you for protection, O Lord my God.
Save me from my persecutors –rescue me.” Psalms 7:1
Moms,
We can often face loads of criticism when we try to raise our kids in a different way than our parents or our spouse’s parents raised us. God tells us in many places in His word that we should expect challenges and criticism from others. Many times Jesus was persecuted unjustly. He tells us that just like they persecuted him they will also persecute us.
I personally have felt heavy criticism for my parenting choices and for a long time it would really hurt me. I was too caught up in getting everyone’s approval and when I didn’t get it, I was crushed and broken- hearted over it.
It’s taken a really long time, but I have begun to realize that #1: The criticism may never end; and #2: I better look for approval somewhere else.
I have had to adjust my thinking and remember that I am to follow Christ and when I do that others may not always agree. Moms, I am not in any way, shape, or form telling you I have this mastered. In fact just this week I was challenged to either choose to believe what God thinks of me or allow the opinions of others overwhelm me with sadness consequently ruining my day.
Psalm 7:1 reminds us where we should go when we’re being criticized or persecuted. What also helps me to keep moving forward is reading certain scriptures over and over. I make sure I am filling my mind with the words of God and not the words of others. I would challenge you to do this.
When you’re being unjustly criticized by someone, instead of dwelling on it and letting it ruin your day, sit down and read some Bible verses. I promise you, your heart will feel better.
-Kristy
Our Thoughts Determine Our Outlook
Posted by: | Comments“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)” John 7:37-39 (NLT)
Want to have a better outlook today? Think about this: If we believe in Jesus and have asked Him into our heart; we 
have his holy spirit living inside of us. Think about that. Are you discouraged right now? Are you worried about something? Are you uncertain and concerned about tomorrow? Are you depressed? Are you angry with someone? Chances are that you feel this way because of what you are thinking about. Our thoughts determine our feelings. Our feelings determine our outlook on a circumstance. Ultimately, our outlook on a circumstance determines our reaction to that circumstance.
I often discount positive thoughts because my circumstance seems so dismal and hopeless. We see death, destruction, doom all around and Jesus is telling us to hold on; he sees a miracle just around the corner. We immediately discount his encouragement because we can’t see beyond today.
How do you know what Jesus would say to you about your circumstance? Do these three things every day:
1. Read his word (Good place to start: Book of Matthew –first book of the New Testament)
2. Talk to him about everything you’re facing that day
3. Be quiet and listen
Next time discouraging thoughts flood your mind; stop, ask yourself: “Would Jesus be saying this to me?” If you read his word every day and talk to him every day; you will begin to discern real quick which thoughts are from Jesus and which ones are not.
-Kristy