This is from the same wife who wrote to me about not pursuing her husband anymore last week. This is what it looks like to painfully tear out our idols by the root and totally surrender to Christ as LORD of ALL. Here the idols are control, feeling loved in a certain way and romance. Thankfully, God will not allow us to find contentment in anything but Christ. Our idols will always disappoint us! This is what it means to die to self and give Jesus full control of our lives. THIS is the beginning of living in the power of God. We must come to the place where we can sincerely say about EVERYTHING in our lives, “Not my will, but Your will be done.” Each wife’s story and journey will look different. For a follow up on how this wife is doing in September, 2014, please check out her update!
—————————————————————-
I started on my journey in seeking to become a godly wife in October of 2012. My husband and I had a horrible fight that ended with angry words on both of our parts and a lot of hurt feelings. I remember the term that led me to The Peacefulwife’s website was “how to get your husband to lead” because that was something I wanted and needed desperately.
My husband and I have never really had a bad relationship. We are both Christians. We deeply love each other. We are strong in our commitment to each other. But things still weren’t on the right balance and it could be felt by both of us and in our home. We were not where we needed to be to have a godly marriage… and we are still very much in process.
There was no question I was disrespectful.
- I rolled my eyes at him.
- I used a tone.
- I insulted his income.
- I said things in front of people that were unkind.
- I called the shots.
- I kept him in line. Although, he wasn’t lining up so great for me
and I am not proud of any of these things.
Ever the do-er, I dove right in to work. I would fix it! After all, all I really had to do was stop the disrespectful things, right?
But I did not fully get the depth of what I was doing. And because of that, I grew overwhelmed. I was trying all the right steps, why weren’t things happening? Don’t misunderstand; things did improve somewhat.
But the total renovation that I read about happening to Peacefulwife and other wives who did this was not happening for this girl.
My heart was truly wanting to do the right thing. But I hadn’t *hit* where I needed to hit to truly make the change. It was like I was trying to work a 5000 piece puzzle with only 2000 of the pieces. Every now and then I would get a glimpse of how beautiful it could be but I didn’t have all the pieces I needed to get that picture.
I was still feeling lonely and neglected by my husband. He still wasn’t responding to me very well, although I was making lots of practical steps toward respecting him. I did a lot of things right. While I didn’t completely stop being disrespectful, I cut a lot of it out.
- I turned a lot of decisions over to my husband.
- I tried to focus on building him up.
(From Peacefulwife – when our husbands don’t change when we start to learn respect and biblical submission, we can get REALLY disappointed. This is a flag to check our motives. Our motives HAVE to be ONLY to please God – not to change our husbands. This can also be a flag to look for deeper layers of unintentional disrespect and control. It ALL has to go!)
Here I was, trying to be the best wife I could be and I didn’t think he cared at all what kind of husband he was being. He seemed selfish and tuned out. Then he made a choice that hurt me very deeply. Were there worse things that could have happened in our marriage? Certainly. But for me, it was the last brick that finally broke down the load I was carrying. I just could not carry it anymore. I remember thinking this thought, in my heart for at least a couple of years before I finally hit “My Breaking Point”…
“I am so tired of fighting for him! I have done nothing but fight for his attention and to be his priority for ALL of our marriage.”
I felt absolutely exhausted from that fight.
- I had given it my all.
- I had tried everything to win.
- I wanted to win.
- I NEEDED to win.
- It was VERY, VERY important to me that my husband show me and everyone else in the world how much I mattered to him.
I did not win.
I waved the white flag.
I. LET. GO.
Not because I made the mature choice and saw that my behavior was not pleasing to God. I wish I could tell you that was the reason. It wasn’t. That came a bit later. No. I let go because it was too painful to try to hold him any longer. I just hit a point where I could not fight for him to love me any longer. He always HAS loved me. But he hasn’t always loved me in the way that *I* wanted. Which is what I was fighting for.
This is not something you can just decide to do. This is something that you have to HIT.
I told my husband this very clearly that
I would no longer try to make him show me how much he cared about me.
If he didn’t do it from the heart, it didn’t count anyway, did it? What satisfaction is there in buffaloing your husband into doing something you want him to do when you know deep down that you pushed him into it?
As I let go of him, I thought about what this truly meant.
- It meant I would no longer pursue him to get him to pursue me.
- It meant that the ball was in his court.
- If he wanted to play ball, I am up for it but I will not make the first move.
- I handed him control of our relationship.
- I finally understood what Peacefulwife meant when she said she had to grow content in a season of waiting because this meant I was going to wait on my husband until he was ready to make a move. And if he didn’t, we would sit here.
I did this lovingly.
There was directness but no harshness.
I made a decision that I would continue to meet his needs even if he didn’t mine. That was not easy because that was unselfish which is not something I was very closely acquainted with.
Although I still had the love of my life, what I did not have was the fantasy marriage (the idol) I wanted and had fought for, for so very long.
I let that fantasy die.
I cannot tell you it was not painful. It was, heart wrenchingly so. In fact, I am crying just thinking about this. But that fantasy was not good for me. It only brought me pain.
Letting go of that fantasy also brought me some good things. Life giving and healing things.
- Peacefulness in myself
- Security regardless of what my husband does or does not do.
- An ability to see things more clearly.
- An ability to find God in a totally new way.
- I got a few more puzzle pieces to work with.
I did not get that when I tried to make him give me what I needed that I was using another form of control.
In what I am learning about men- and my knowledge is very limited at this point- the surest way NOT to get what I wanted was to push for it.
My husband may never choose to meet my needs.
Perhaps he will.
This really isn’t about that at all.
This is about me
- hitting the point where I could not go on living in such an unhealthy way any longer.
- saying, “Lord, my husband belongs to you. You take him and work with Him. You are far better equipped than I.”
- realizing how little control I actually had.
- realizing just how tiny I am and how big God is. I am just a little ant in his great big world.
- realizing that although my husband and I are joined by marriage, I do not own him.
- seeing God show me how much work there is to do in ME.
- realizing that it is okay to focus on ME and my relationship with God and let my husband have his own process.
For me, this was not a joyful experience.
No.
This was an experience where I had to reach a point where I tearfully, brokenly handed my marriage to God and said,
“Lord, I cannot do this any longer.
Please take this because it is too heavy for me.
Take all of my expectations of my husband and
all of my hurts and unfulfilled dreams because
they are too painful to carry any longer.
I pray someday you bless our marriage with the things
You know I have wanted so desperately
but even if You never, ever do,
I can’t do this without You any longer.
I need You to help me.
I need You to do the changing and fixing in our marriage.
I am not equipped to do it and I am sorry I ever, ever tried.
I pray You work with both of us.
And start with me.”
That was a hard place to be and a hard thing to say. My heart was so broken accepting that the things I have waited on and wanted so desperately may never be a reality.
- I had to get to where I could go on EVEN if my worst fears happened.
- I had to get to a place where I realized that I never really had any control at all. At best, what I had was some sinful tools of manipulation and guilt to try to get my way.
- I had to get to a place where I let go of my husband and got ahold of myself again. Where I could realize that the only person I could change was myself.
While there are still some hurts in my heart and still some things God and I have left to work through, I can tell you that
This is a much more peaceful way to live. Trying to control my husband and the outcome of everything in our marriage was exhausting. Resting in myself and my relationship with God is refreshing.
I do not know what the future holds. I see some little sprigs of hope springing up.
- I see my husband beginning to stand taller.
- I see my husband beginning to search for his wife now that she is not following his every step.
I am hopeful good things are coming. I have to trust that this is for my ultimate good. Since I am a child of God I believe that anything that happens to me is FOR my good or He would not allow it. I felt frustrated and overwhelmed when I first started out to become a godly wife because I didn’t have all of the puzzle pieces yet. I may not have them all now. I don’t know. My puzzle isn’t finished. But I have more than I did have and the picture is becoming clearer.
Blessings to you.
Then He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will save it.
Luke 9:23-24
FOLLOW UP:
To see how A Fellow Wife (the author of this post) is doing 3 years into her journey, and what she wishes she could tell herself 3 years ago, check out this post!
Reblogged this on Peaceful Single Girl and commented:
This is a wife who made romance, control and feeling loved in very specific ways her idols. She is going through the painful process of ripping out all of her idols and submitting completely to Christ
An important piece of the puzzle might be uncovered by asking yourself if your new approach of ‘letting go’ is actually yet another attempt to coax or manipulate different behaviors in your husband. Perhaps letting go of all strategies to influence your marriage and your husband, and instead focusing all your attention and your energies on becoming wholly self-sustaining, is the only route to true peace.
Linda,
We definitely need to always check our motives. It is very easy to deceive ourselves and not realize some of our hidden true motives when we do things. You are right, that is something to be very careful about.
I know for me, I had to accept my husband exactly as he was and stop trying to change him at all. The key for me was to focus totally on Christ and to find all of my identity, purpose, contentment, strength, acceptance, love, peace and joy in Jesus alone.
Thanks for the comment!
hello. I read a lot of your material and it is very helpful. However I do not know if I would be right asking my question on here. I had a horrible co-dependency issue which I have overcome greatly and that has made my marriage a hundred times better. I would like to implement your views too because they make perfect sense. But how would an atheist go about implementing this in her life? Is this only applicable to the one who believes in religion? If this isn’t appropriate here I apologize.
Silvia,
I am very glad to hear from you! You may ask questions anytime. 🙂 It’s great to meet you.
I used to be extremely co-dependent, too. That is really just an addiction to trying to control others – generally because we believe that we are truly responsible for circumstances ourselves and live as if we are sovereign over our lives and the lives of others. This is usually from having parents who seemed weak, uninvolved or had addictions of some type, and the children learned they had to try to be in charge. It gives us a very warped picture of ourselves and God – we end up thinking we are super powerful, big and strong and God is wimpy, weak and small. This, of course, is the opposite of what is actually true. When we get the proper picture of God and ourselves – other things snap into place.
God’s ways and His truth do work in marriage – because His wisdom is always true. The key to peace in God’s design for marriage – is that the wife can rest and trust in God’s sovereignty – that is why she doesn’t have to be afraid or controlling.
Ultimately, her trust is not in a fallible man, but in an infallible God who promises to use ALL things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
I don’t know of anyone or anything but Christ who is worthy of all of our trust and faith and who can give us this incredible peace and joy.
I’m always glad to hear from you! We can talk about anything you would like. 🙂
Silvia,
I’ve written on here before about my own journey from Athiest to Christian. I was an athiest for a long time but I believe I still applied biblical principals to my life as much as I humanly could even then. Looking back I’m sure I did. “Do unto others… ” the old Golden Rule.. Don’t lie, cheat, steal, respect your parents, etc, etc.. Ok, I did some of that..but then again so have a lot of Christians. I just have a higher accountability now. I even was very generous in taking care of those in need and helping strangers. Marriage principals are no different. Of course you can apply biblical principles to your marriage as an Athiest, agnostic, Hindu, Muslim or any Christian religion. Life, Marriage, Financial principles, doesn’t matter. You are right some things like this make perfect sense to follow. Christians do not have the corner market on treating their husbands great.. 🙂
Religion can be a different story though. I noticed you asked if it was applicable only to the one who believes in “religion”. A person does not have to believe in religion or a specific religion to have a relationship with Christ. Or even to believe in Christ. And just because someone follows a specific Christian religion does not mean their relationship with Christ is solid. I haven’t got a clue what religion I am. But I know that I now believe in God and have some sort of relationship with Christ that seems to be ever growing. We go to a non-demonational church because they are the only ones that will have us. The Catholics, Baptists and Methodists won’t have us.. (that’s a joke by the way folks, so easy does it).. I go to Church because I think it’s the right thing to do and I enjoy the fellowship. But I know good Christians who don’t go to Church but they worship in other ways.
But the point being, if you are on the fence, don’t let religion over complicate Jesus. You don’t have to find your way to Christ through a specific religion. That is not how it happened for me. I think for me it was completely outside of religion. I wish it would have happened earlier in life but I guess there’s always a reason for the timing.
Which brings me to one other thing in your post I want to address. You are absolutely 100% right for asking your questions here. Whether those are questions about marriage or questions about faith in God or lack of faith in God or whatever they are. All of those questions are appropriate. I remember having opportunities to ask questions when I was a young athiest and nothing made me dig my heels in deeper in my disbelief than Christians who were offended by my questions. The more I met people who welcomed my questions or had answers for my questions or could point me in the right direction the more I learned and the more my beliefs changed. I had let “religion” cloud the truth for a long time. Among other things of course.
Like anything in life a relationship with and trust in God does make it easier. For 22 years I was an athiest and thought differently. I know now, without a shadow of a doubt, that God is God and Jesus really died and rose again to save us. To save me. And he doesn’t ask a lot from me in return. I know that becoming a Christian changed me in ways I never expected and Did NOT change me in so many ways that I was scared it would. Like I’m still a lot of fun to be around.. I was worried about that one because I wasn’t sure if Christians were allowed to have fun or be funny. They God they are and many of them do have fun and are funny. So far (haven’t been a Christian long) I still have all the things about me that I love and less of the not so great things about me. So, that’s a relief.
So, ask away about anything. And really evaluate whether it’s God or just religion that you are in doubt of. There’s a certian “unsettled” feeling in being on the fence on this. Either way, applying biblical principles to areas of your life, especially your marriage is a good thing.
Gail W.
Wow…..what a journey. I too am on this journey and at the very beginning. I felt every word written as tears just fell down my face. It just seems like so much. I’m sitting here with the lump in my throat as I think about what needs to be done and giving up on the dream that I’ve had since childhood. I’m 44 and have been married one year now (first marriage). There has been some highs/lows but I can relate to this writer as my husbands and I last conversation has just left me numb. I’m so tired and I just can’t do it anymore. I give up. I’m letting go. I’m TIRED. TIRED of fighting him to love me according to my expectations. I must do what’s right and let God deal and handle my husband. That thought alone is causing so much pain in my heart b/c its seems as if I won’t get the love I so despartely desire and that my husband doesn’t have to make any changes but I know this isn’t about him…..it’s about me and my relationship with God. This is so PAINFUL!!!!!!! God PLEASE help me. I do appreciate the prayer….As I strive to continue on this journey, I will pray this prayer everyday until God gives me peace and comfort.
Stacee,
I am praying for you, my precious sister!!!!!! I think you may be blessed by my posts from this week about us being responsible for our emotions and our spiritual growth. Much love to you!!!!! Than you so much for sharing. I know that most of us can relate very much to what you are experiencing!
What a road this wife is walking and the wisdom she is gaining. We all want our fantasy lives, its the little girl growing up to the big wedding with all the frills, flowers, the prince charming on the white horse and the happily ever after. But reality can be just as enjoyable when we understand that our earthly lives are a Work-In-Progress and we learn submission first to our heavenly Father, how to let go, where the real peace is, that quick to listen still means we wait on the answers and hold our tongues. But that also means we have to fight the giants in the quietness at times because I promise you the enemy is mimicing the lion in his roaring seeking to kill, steal, destroy, divide – whatever. But we definitely have the Power to resist and declare that No Weapon Formed Against me and mine will prosper. That does not mean we won’t feel the pricks of the arrows, the bruises of the stones, the heartbreak of the words – but it does mean we trust God to add more than the bandaid and healing salve of his Grace and Love where the need is. This young wife is learning such valuable lessons early on and that in her love, her respect, her humbleness, she is a Powerful Woman of God. Many blessings and prayers to her as she continues holding on to the hand of Christ. The victory is assured even when the battles are daily when we place our trust in our Heavenly Father.
Good good good. I can relate and I’m in the same place and all I can say is this is very good. Peace and blessings to you on this beautiful journey of developing your relationship with Christ.
Reading other women’s experiences is so helpful to me – it’s awesome to see how God is working in other relationships and to know that I’m not the only one who struggles at times. I have experienced major changes in the way I look at my life, my role/responsibilities, and my husband. Honestly, in the beginning I wanted to change so it would “make” him treat me better or “make” us get along more easily, but I’m learning that the best thing I can do is act in ways that honor God and the rest will come. And if it doesn’t, that’s okay too. Thank you so much for sharing these stories!
AMEN, Andrea!!!!!!! I’m so glad this is helpful for you. 🙂
Agreeing with Dee I can somehow understand why some Christian marriages fall through the cracks as little as 90 days, I also take on the accounts written in the books of Proverbs 31 and Proverbs 18:22 in the foundation of what is a good wife in the eyes Of Jehovah God, I also look at scriptures that supplement it.
There are times that being a good wife can be hard, it depends on the spouse that she has because I can name a lot in my current congregation versus my old one how many men that make women head strong because they don’t follow principled guidelines put in place by them in the bible and/or enjoy living the double life which the bible warns us about.
This is another reason I find it extremely hard to put in trust with suitors around my age because of their disheartening morals and scriptural viewpoints; thank goodness for my love of traveling I was able to find a suitor states away in Nebraska whom is willing to converse and possibly start a relationship.
Lilyanna1,
YES! There are many times when being a godly woman is extremely hard and excruciatingly painful. We all marry sinful men – so we will all be sinned against. But the closer a husband is to Christ, yes, generally, the easier things are. But there are still MANY trials, misunderstandings and we still cannot make them or our feelings into idols we cherish more than Christ or we will have this exact situation, even with a very godly husband.
There are precious few genuinely godly men around.
I’m excited for you about your potential suitor. That is wonderful! 🙂
Dear PeacefulWife,
Lately, I have decided not to nag my husband, to tell him once and to hold my peace and to wait. This is super hard. He is not doing what I want to and I know I am right.
But, after reading all these posts about letting go, I am trying my best to let go. The fantasy marriage comes because courting was like fantasy. Now, real life is hard.
Plus, it doesn’t seem like he has notice anything. Or, if he has, he didn’t say anything.
I must admit, I am not more kind to him, but I do everything he asks me to and I don’t complain about it, which for me is major. Plus, when he asks me something, I say: take the decision you think is best. And then, I don’t nag about the result.
I am not sure I am getting this all right.
It is true I wanted dh to change, but I also wanted to be more pleasing to God. I feel I am in the middle.
May the peace of God be with all wives.
Yas,
I am so glad to hear from you! 🙂
I am really glad that you are putting some new, more healthy, more God and husband honoring habits into practice.
YES.
IT IS VERY HARD.
This stuff goes totally against our sin nature and totally against our feminine human perspective and totally against our culture.
Yes before marriage, we don’t actually have to depend on our men for much. After marriage, we are in the same boat – and if they sink, we sink. It becomes a whole new ball game!
The wife who wrote this email to me for the post today said the same thing to me so many times. “Why hasn’t my husband said anything about all the changes I am making? Doesn’t he notice?”
Men DO notice the changes.
They just don’t know what the changes mean. They are skeptical that this won’t last. They feel like they are getting set up again to be blasted if they don’t respond the right way. And they are waiting to see if the changes are permanent. They are probably confused. But the will almost never say anything.
That is totally fine!
You are not doing this for your husband. You are ultimately doing these things only to honor Christ and please him – and to bless your husband. Not to get specific results from him.
This is a LONG, LONG process. You will overcorrect one way sometimes, and then swing back too far the other way as you figure out where the balance is.
I’m here if you want to talk more!
You don’t have to walk this road alone.
Much love,
Awwwww thank you PeacefulWife,
I hope one day I will be a peaceful wife to!
I was wondering, sometimes you mention some books you read that helped you. Do you have a post with a list of books you recommand?
Thanks again!
Yas,
Being full of God’s Spirit always brings peace. That is my prayer for wives, that they will abide in Christ, desire to know Him more and more and desire to bring Him glory above all else. 🙂
I know He can give you His Spirit as you learn to die to self and submit to Him.
Plaese search my home page for “Marriage Books” – and you will find the post I have with my list. 🙂
Thank you and may God bless you and your ministry.
Just this reply has lifted my spirits. Thank you. Been married 17 years to an absolute wonderful man. I never knew how much my controlling nature could hurt him until 2 months ago when he blew up. He does not like to talk about it and I’m trying to let him go to find himself. I have made major changes and I see him respond but our physical intimacy is gone. He’s asked me to stop perusing him. He’s an amazing father. I don’t know if he’s just backing off or if he’s backing to somewhere or some one. I don’t think so but I have such high anxiety about all of it it makes it difficult to function. Thank God for our 3 children whom we are able to share our joy with each other about. Giving it up to God… it’ll take a lot of time for my husband to heal and hopefully he’ll stay close enough to return. And hopefully I can be ready for whatever God has in store. Painful.
Trying,
Oh goodness. 🙁 So much pain!
You know what? I have some posts that may be a blessing in this time of trial. My prayer is that you might be open to everything God wants to reveal to you and that you might find all of the healing that is available to you in Jesus.
You are welcome to search my home page for things like:
– insecurity
– security
– husband idol
– control
– stop pursuing my husband
– husband space
– when your husband says I’m done
– laying down husband
– lordship of Christ
– separated wife
Much love to you! Praying for God to bring much beauty from the ashes and for Him to empower you to become the woman He calls you to be. I pray for God’s healing for your husband, as well, and for your marriage for His glory!
Love this! Been here… still in process too… always will be I know. April, you may have read this book, but if not, I HIGHLY recommend it… “Families where Grace is in Place” by Jeff VanVonderen. Great book that talks about the cycle of control… especially for when eyes still need to be opened to the deeper reasons for why we control, etc. I still read your blog when I can!! Love you!
Shane
Shane!!!!!!
I was thinking of you and praying for you this week my beautiful sister! 🙂
I am so glad to hear from you!!!!
Thank you for the recommendation. I appreciate it very much. It sounds perfect.
Much love to you, my friend!
So good! This is another keeper for my reference! Thank you for re-posting this from this wife!
learning1,
You are welcome!
My husband has done the same thing as this precious wife has done. Although the “rolls” are somewhat different, still many similarities. And I was able to understand his decision a little better while reading this. “I don’t do things quickly enough, or don’t agree right away, or I have too many of my own opinions that get in the way of obeying.” So my husband decided to pull back and be “friends”. We’ve been separated for a few years and he vacillates between working it out and divorce. Why I’m saying all this know, I don’t know. I truly feel for this precious wife and husband. And I pray that OUR LORD HEALS AND “gives beauty for their ashes.”
I would like that very much 🙂 Stay tuned for an email. 🙂
Will do! 🙂
I read this and my heart and spirit sing “Yes! Face these fears, let him go, and find your peace in Christ.”
Like this wonderful wife, I too started my “peaceful” walk in fall of 2012.
I have done absolutely everything to try and get my husband to act the way, and love me the way I *feel* I should be loved. And like this wife, my husband does love me, but it’s not my fantasy of what I expect my marriage to be, and that has been heartbreaking for me to come to terms with.
I have tried (and failed) so many times to give up that control, to stop ‘expecting’ from my husband the perfect love that I KNOW in my heart, I can only get through Christ.
These experiences, over the last few days has just been really working on my heart – my husband and I are in a tough place, we are in therapy and wanting to make our marriage a healthier one, but I so often feel like my own worst enemy.
“I will love you so much, and cling to you, and suffocate you, and nag you, and parent you, and make you do what I want, when I want, how I want, until death do us part.”
My heart understands what to do, my brain understands why I need to do this, but my fleshly, sinful spirit just clings to control like a filthy rag.
You have no idea how much these stories mean to me, they encourage, convict and give me strength when I cannot find it within myself.
Thank you so much.
~ PetiteFoi
PetitFoi,
Ooh! This is really powerful:
“I will love you so much, and cling to you, and suffocate you, and nag you, and parent you, and make you do what I want, when I want, how I want, until death do us part.”
I may have to see if I can quote you on that one! It makes things pretty clear when you spell it out like that, doesn’t it?
I was the same way. 🙁
I actually expected my husband AND God to submit to ME. I would NEVER have thought that in those words or spoken it like that. But that is exactly what I expected:
Total, unquestioning submission to my will all the time.
I was always “right,” after all!
I made so many demands of Greg and of God. Neither of them answered me. They both “shut down.” God would not hear my prayers when I had a heart full of such idolatry, wicked PRIDE, self-righteousness, bitterness, unforgiveness, resentment, contempt…
THANK GOD that He did not give me what I wanted then!
THANK GOD that my husband did not cave and do what I wanted back then!
I was SO WRONG.
God won’t let me find peace and contentment in idolizing myself or making an idol of my marriage or my husband or of romance or of feeling loved.
He is SO GOOD that He will only allow me to find satisfaction and contentment and true treasure in Himself alone.
He is all I need!
I’m so glad these stories are helping you. God has been doing some MIGHTY stuff in the past week or so in so many wives’ lives. I can’t help but praise and thank Him!
This is an awesome post. How can I write to u a private email?
Keza,
I’m glad it was helpful. I am sure many wives can relate!
aprilc@sc.rr.com 🙂
I’m in the same place now…. Waiting for him.. Waiting for him to call/ text. This is hard!! Keeping my mind focused on His word and this blog! Thank u for God revealing my control in this area. and please pray for me in this process.
Carla,
Praying for wisdom for you. And for you to be able to embrace the time of waiting as a time of learning and clinging to Jesus. Here’s a post – Waiting Becomes Sweet
I’m so thankful God doesn’t let us continue in sin or find contentment in it.
Let me know how you are doing!
You go girl!
I just had a big hearty cry about my life situation and wanted to reach out to someone who may be going through what I am . Came across this blog and felt that you had penned down every word in my heart and put it out there in front of my eyes.
I’m on an exactly similar journey and beginning to wonder whether awakening this consciousness is the exact motive of God. I’m truly grateful to you to write this down for me.
God bless.
nina
Wow, the power of God is incredible. This post, and every thing I seem to be reading comes at a perfect timing for me. I am realizing this is where I am at, in fact, my husband told me “I am done fighting, whatever will be, will be” Somewhat of a direct translation. Thank you for all the inspiring messages from all you wonderful sisters out there. God is truly in control if you keep your heart open to Him.
Jessica,
Praying for God to continue His good work in you and in your husband and your marriage!
Wow. Great work going on here….God is your strength
Ijeoma Osaro Ufomadu,
I’m so thankful God used this post to bless you. 🙂
Oh wow!You have me bawling.I’m done. Im so tired of trying to make him love me how i want to be loved.why is that so hard? Why wouldn’t he want to speak my love language? Enough questions. Your blog has convicted me to let it go,to quit telling him how to pursue me and getting angry when it doesn’t happen.I’m so afraid that if i stop telling him though it will never happen. It might be a month or two before he even notices that something is different and pursues me.I’ll probably die during those two months but I’ve given him grief for a couple years now. I should have given this to God a few years ago and I believe our marriage had suffered because of my attitude. Why did i think that God could not handle this? Please pray that i can be the peaceful wife and that my new attitude will help mend and repair our marriage.
Amy,
I know it seems scary right now. And it feels like if you stop pursuing him, he will stay far away emotionally and physically. That is not normally how guys operate – if they are relatively healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But it can feel extremely scary to a wife who is backing off.
You won’t die during those two months! I encourage you to seek Christ with all your heart, and let Him be the source of your security, comfort, strength, identity, peace, hope, purpose, acceptance, and joy. 🙂
As you find all of your needs met in the sufficiency of Christ and give your husband space to breathe – he will likely come looking for you. But the awesome thing is, whether he does or not on a given day, week, or month – you can be content in Christ, having all of your deepest emotional and spiritual needs met in Him!
I invite you to check out the post this week by this same wife who wrote Giving Up on My Dream for My Marriage – to see what she wishes she could tell her 2012 self if she was able to write her old self a letter at the beginning of this journey to become a godly wife.