Better Work / Life Balance in MarriageSýnishorn

In times when your marriage feels unrewarding, but the kudos or bonuses are flowing your way at work, it’s going to be more difficult to remember your first allegiance is to your spouse. You have to keep things up at work for survival’s sake. The paycheck depends on it! But it can be tempting to table issues at home, since you know your spouse will still be there once things calm back down and you can sort through things together.

But what if things don’t calm down? Life has a way of staying busy. What if your marriage is damaged by lack of attention in the meantime?

You cannot afford to stop investing in your marriage. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 speak to the principle of sowing; when we sow abundantly, we will reap abundantly. Without pouring time and energy into our marriage, it will not grow and thrive. With continued neglect, it might not survive. Even in busy or hard seasons, we can find ways to sow into our marriage and nurture it.

At the same time, we need to consider the warning in 1 John 5:21 “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” This doesn’t mean you need to quit your job! (Unless your work directly contradicts your faith, of course. That would be a different conversation.) But you do need to quit looking to work, accolades, or accomplishments for validation, achievement, and identity.

The only way to do this is to first identify with who He says you are. When we receive our identity and validation in Christ, we are then freed up to love our spouse without placing unfair expectations on them. Being loved by Jesus provides the foundation to be a loving spouse. We’re free then to do our best at work without the need to please people or seek approval. This is as simple as remembering that before your roles as husband, wife, employer/employee, colleague or boss, you are first God’s beloved child.

He has great plans for you, for your marriage, and for your work. Not that you have to carry this out on your own; praise God that in your weakness His power is perfected (2 Corinthians 12:9)! Where are you weak today? Invite God straight into that area. Invite your spouse in. Work together to share the load and in doing so, to discover more of how He has purposed you together.

Action Steps for Today:

• Pray. Ask God to help you see yourself as He does.
• Praise and thank God for His love and grace. Remembering daily how he loves and extends grace toward you strengthens your ability to do the same for others.