Thinking for a Change: 11 Ways Highly Succe...
by John C. Maxwell
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Kirsten Strawn
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Four kids, a submissive wife, a new five bedroom home, and a management position at a growing company: what more could a man want? But my husband was unhappy with his life.
One day my husband announced his intended resignation without having another job. When I questioned his decision Mark's angry response revealed the communication problems we had in our marriage. I thought certainly he should wait until he found another job, but God had a plan through Mark's unemployment.
In desperation I cried out to God. And through those tears God began to reveal himself to me. But not the way I wanted. My desire was for my husband to get a job quickly. But my wise friend rebuked me by saying, "We should pray for Mark to know Jesus before we pray for him to find another job." Her wise words penetrated my heart, convicting me to pray for my husband.
As I prayed I saw God's faithfulness. He answered my prayer that my husband would go on a marriage retreat. Two weeks later He answered my prayer for Mark to attend a men's retreat. At the retreat He answered my prayer for my analytical husband to know Jesus as his Savior. God built my faith by answering my prayers. I thank God that I had the faith to pray.
When Mark returned home from the men's retreat God gave me a glimpse of what my marriage would become. Mark came home a different man. This man made me the focus of his attention instead of the children. This man had tremendous patience and kindness toward me and the kids. This man went out of his way to bring me a Starbucks in the morning. This man was filled with the Spirit of God when he invited Jesus into his life.
What I didn't expect was that my husband would stay home for a year to study the Bible, to understand God's word, and make his priorities align with God. Mark no longer wanted to be a workaholic. He wanted to make God first, his wife second, and his children after me. Mark realized that he had always made his career his primary focus. In his next job he wanted to use his gifts and talents to work hard as though working for the Lord, but his relationship with God and his family would come first.
Mark and I struggled with him at home, but I tried to see the blessings. He was home to care for the kids, while I went to Bible study. I had time to spend writing, which took me through a process of healing my past pain and reconcile my relationships.
Mark's lack of interest in pursuing work caused me to resent and disrespect him. Our communication problems intensified with him home twenty-four hours a day. I wanted him to find a job so I no longer had to deal with him. But God knew I needed to change my heart and my behavior and cling to my Savior as my husband and Bridegroom.
For the year that Mark was unemployed we used his retirement account to live on. As each month passed that my husband did not look for work I feared that we would lose everything. I faced the possible shame of selling my house. I considered getting a job, yet I knew in my heart that God wanted me home raising our four small children. I had to surrender my house and all my possessions to God's plan for my life. When I did, God began to move.
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Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Proverbs 3:5-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He would make your path straight.
Psalm 22:8
He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 13:5
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 91:2
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 111:7
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
Proverbs 28:25
A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
