Approaching Conflict Differently...

Are you ready for a hard to hear lesson? A lesson that is counter-intuitive to the culture we live in? If so, put on your big-girl pants. Today's lesson is thought-provoking and challenging.

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (italics mine)

Most of us would have probably said that when we married our motive was to be happy; to enjoy our husbands; and to live happily ever after. But what happens when we aren't happy? What happens when on some days, we don't even like our husbands?

The world tells us that, "we deserve to be happy." "That our children will be happier if we're happy." We're also told that we need to focus on ourselves and what we want; to make sure our desires are satisfied. Do you realize that's just what Satan told Eve in the Garden? (see Genesis 3:5).

But what does God's Word say?

We learn in Scripture that as we relate to our husbands - as we love and encourage and serve them, we are actually serving Christ Himself. In other words, the way we treat our husbands' is considered by Jesus to be the way you treat Him. Your relationship with your husband is a spiritual barometer of your relationship with Christ. (I told you this was not an easy one to hear.)

However, once we get a picture of relating to our husbands' as "unto the Lord," it may change the way we confront conflict. Ask yourself, "would I treat Jesus like this? Would I talk to Jesus like this?" It's Jesus we are ultimately serving.

Before becoming nauseated at the thought of all this, don't miss the reward part! We are promised that the Lord will see our efforts, even if our husbands do not, and reward us for our faithful service.

I hope this encourages you. I hope this challenges and confronts what the world is trying to teach us.

Have a great day!