Selfishness = Trouble
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
(Philippians 2:3-4 ESV)
Around Christmas time the enemy had a great time in my head; making me once again insecure in my marriage. I was listening to “You are getting to old…” “You are not pretty enough…” “Why would your husband love you?” The battle in my mind was intense; I almost packed my bags and went back to Germany.
All I had left was a desperate prayer: “Lord, show me if I should stay. No matter the cost”. One of my very close friends told me to watch out what I pray for; I may not like the outcome. Needless to say, she was right.
A little while after I prayed so desperately for God to show me if I should stay or go, my husband turned very sick. Years of overuse of salt in my husband’s diet took toll on his health. He was always tired; and lastly his hands and legs started to swell badly. Thankfully after 4 months feeling miserable, he saw his doctor.
Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but to count others more significant than ourselves. Looking back to Christmas and shortly after, my selfishness almost ruined my marriage.
I learned two things during the past 5 months:
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1.It is important to communicate well with each other!
2.I love my husband more than I can ever put into words!
Sometimes my selfishness gets me into trouble. I am glad that God will use my mistakes and turn it for good.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)
“Lord of mercy and grace. Once again You humbled me. I am sorry for the grief I have given You over the past months. Thank You for showing me to count others more significant than myself; especially my husband. I am trusting You for Your continued guidance that I may walk in Your ways. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.”
Photo & Content Copyright © Iris Nelson
I have felt that way before, and thought about going home to Mom! That’s usually when God shows me “I” need to change (when I thought it was my husband!). God is so good to redirect our thinking and bring our focus back on Him and His will in the situation. As I celebrate my 28th wedding anniversary (in two days), it’s amazing to see how God worked throughout the years in both my husband and my life, using friction to smooth off the rough edges as our personalities rubbed each other the wrong way at times…and sometimes still do! Praise God!
Blessings,
Charlotte
I am glad that I am not the only one, Charlotte :)…God does have His way to bring us around though; sometimes it takes a little longer for me to get it.
I totally understand.