Spiritual Resilience: Finding Hope and Strength in the Midst of Marital Crisis by Dr. Treal RavenelSample

Day 3: Guarding Your Heart and Mind

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

When facing a marriage crisis, preserving your spiritual strength and discovering hope and serenity depend heavily on guarding one's heart. Grief and anguish from a loved one make the situation more difficult because they attack the core of your emotional well-being. Beyond just providing emotional security, the idea of guarding your heart entails taking proactive measures to ward off bad influences that jeopardize your marriage, faith, and tranquility. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12). This verse emphasizes the spiritual aspect of the struggles we endure, stating that the spiritual forces of darkness that aim to stoke conflict and destroy our relationships are our real foes rather than our spouses or other individuals. Our emotions and brains might become easy targets for the enemy's attacks during a marriage crisis. Relationship instability and strife can intensify as uncertainty, resentment, and discontent sprout and spread like seeds. It is essential to acknowledge these negative effects and make a concerted effort to offset them with the veracity of God's Word. We proactively arm ourselves with the spiritual armor required to thwart the devil's schemes by aggressively defending our hearts with God's truth and flooding our thoughts with His Word. We must arm ourselves with the truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God, just as a soldier puts on armor before going into combat (Ephesians 6:13–17). We can face the difficulties of a marriage crisis with hope, serenity, and spiritual resilience if we firmly root ourselves in God's truth and let it guide our thoughts and actions. Here are five ways we can do that:

1. Pray for Protection and Strength: Scripture: Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." In prayer, seek God's protection and strength to stand firm against spiritual attacks. Ask for the armor of God to shield you from the enemy's schemes.

2. Immerse Yourself in Scripture: Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Regularly engage with the Word of God to renew your mind and guard your heart. Let His truth guide your thoughts and actions.

3. Cultivate a Spirit of Gratitude: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Practice gratitude daily, focusing on the blessings in your life rather than dwelling on negativity. A thankful heart can help protect you from discontentment and bitterness.

4. Surround Yourself with Encouraging Community: Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another." Seek out a supportive community of believers who can uplift you, pray for you, and provide wise counsel during times of spiritual warfare.

5. Guard Your Thoughts and Speech: Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." Be intentional about monitoring your thoughts and words. Replace negative self-talk and harmful thoughts with what is true, pure, and praiseworthy according to God's standards.

By following these steps and anchoring yourself in the truth of God's Word, you can strengthen your spiritual resilience and guard your heart amidst spiritual warfare in your marriage.

Devotional Reflection: Consider the thoughts and emotions that have the potential to harm your marriage. How can you actively guard your heart against negative influences and nourish it with God's love and peace?