Celebrating Differences in Marriage Sýnishorn

Yesterday we recognized that God gave us different gifts. What a blessing! Today, let’s look at the fact that having different strengths means that we also have different insecurities and weaknesses. Because of this, we can easily offend or discourage our spouse if we aren’t recognizing the ways God has wired us differently.

It’s important to understand that our differences can serve as opportunities for us to grow in intimacy with one another as we choose daily to be students of our spouse, or they can serve as a wedge.

In our marriage, we are blessed with someone to walk alongside through life. When our spouse falls or struggles, we can “help them up” as it says in Ecclesiastes 4. We can ask for their help when we need it. We can serve and support one another and give encouragement and companionship.

Today, I challenge you to acknowledge the differences in your marriage and find a way to better serve your spouse in that difference.

If you know your spouse needs time away from people to reset, maybe you look at your calendar and be sure that time is scheduled in or that the two of you haven’t overextended yourselves. If you have a big decision to make, and you know your spouse likes to have everything laid out in front of them, but you tend to be on the more impulsive side, maybe you help them make a list of pros and cons.

Instead of getting frustrated that they approach things differently, I challenge you to let it be a way that encourages growth and new perspective. Don’t assume that your way is best. Humbly consider that their way of approaching life is as valid as yours. You will be a better team because of it!

Prayer:

God, you created us differently for so many reasons. I pray that you’ll give me a new perspective in my marriage, a perspective that allows me to see the differences as room to grow stronger together. I don’t want to resent my spouse, but rather celebrate the way you made them!