Or maybe it's the pain your circumstance is causing that makes the waiting so difficult. We want things to go back to the way they were to a time when it didn't hurt so badly. To a time where you felt that things were good or at least not as bad as they are now.
The unknown can also make the waiting game a scary time. Are you awaiting news that can turn your world upset down or confirm a fear like divorce papers in the mail or your prodigal spouse to call or "come to his senses"? Days can seemingly feel like weeks and weeks like months and months like years during the waiting game.
Now while I could tell you that God's timing is perfect (it indeed is) or wait upon the Lord (you really ought to do so) that advice can sometimes feel stagnant, overused, obvious and honestly not enough. So this morning while searching for scripture and praying, this is the scripture that lit up my heart with hope. Are you ready?
"Love is patient and kind;" 1 Corinthians 13:4
You are probably wondering how that applies. That verse is the first line used to describe what God says love actually is. God chose to tell us first and foremost that love is patient and kind. He goes on to tell us a whole lot of things that love is not and then ends love's description with how we should truly love...
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endure all things. Love never ends." 1 Corinthians 13:7-8
Are you loving your spouse this way? Are you being patient and kind during the waiting game? It's during the difficult times that you prove your love, even if your spouse isn't deserving of it. Ultimately you are only responsible for your own actions and reactions.
I am not naive and not without feeling. I know what it feels like to have your spouse leave and tell you that he isn't in love with you anymore. I know the hurt of hearing that I am no longer his wife and to move on with my life. And yes I know the pain of seeing his interest in someone else.
However, I also know that not once does love say anything about feelings and emotions that are unstable. True love ENDURES ALL THINGS.
So during this waiting game, I urge you to LOVE your spouse, not with the intention of getting anything in return (including restoration) but love your spouse because that is what a good spouse does. Love with patience, kindness and endurance during the waiting game.
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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Thank you I needed to hear this today!
ReplyDeleteTo God be the glory!
DeleteCan you give me some advice on how am I supposed to do that? I have no opportunity as we are divorced & have no children & there's no communication between us. It's hard to keep hearing he's happy w someone else. I tried showing him a Christ like unconditional love, kindness & forgiveness since I found out about the ow & thruout our disolutuon but none of it seems to have mattered.
ReplyDeleteIt has been my experience that God will often times keep the communication between spouses distant in order to protect you. In all honesty your husband, may indeed be happy with someone else at the current time. Would that not hurt you to see that? Would you not think that standing was pointless and give up? Please don't ever believe that doing what God's word tells us to do, isn't seeming to matter. God is doing things in the Spirit that we can not see and it is during those times that you build up faith and learn to trust Him. There is no step by step plan that I can tell you of. You must simply follow God's word and then patiently wait on God.
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