Through the storms...

What do you do to weather the storms in your marriage:  those times when things are rough, shaky, uncertain, even scary?  Here are some things to remember when the storms hit:

*If your foundation is sure, your marriage can weather the storms.  Be sure you do foundation work BEFORE the storms come!

*The storms will reveal areas of weakness that will need to be rebuilt...  do you need to pay more attention to the words you say, do you tend to blame someone, or take things out on someone else?   These things need to be tightened down in our life so that when the storms come you are ready to go through them without damage.

*Let your spouse into your thinking and emotions during the storm.  You may have to fight to not isolate yourself during trying times; but allow your spouse IN!

*Realize that you need to come out of the storm leaning even more on the Lord and on our spouse.  I love the verse from Song of Solomon that says:  “Who is this who comes up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved?”  (Song 8:5 AMP)  Come out of hard times leaning on each other, not resisting each other.

*When storms hit, try more than ever to understand where the other person is coming from.  

Hard times challenge all of us, and we may need more understanding during tough times.  It is also important to remember that you may not understand just how much of a storm something your spouse is going through really is to them:  something underneath the surface could be really bothering your spouse but they don't want to elaborate on it.  Read the signs of when your spouse is going through things.

Challenge:  Make provisions to keep a super strong foundation so when the storms come, your foundation stands strong.  Take the time to really know what your spouse is going through, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually and socially as well.  Really stick together and weather the storm together, and come through it leaning even more on your "beloved"!