Praying The Fruit of the Spirit in Our Marriage: Day 5

    

    So far we have looked at love, joy, peace, and patience in our marriage, and today we are going to look at kindness, goodness, and gentleness. Since these three characteristics are one in the same, I decided to discuss them all at one time. God has commanded us in His Word to be kind, good, and gentle to others. Therefore, we should strive to show our spouse these actions.

     The Bible says in Colossians 3:12, "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." The way we treat others, especially our husband is a big deal to God. One way we show our husbands kindness, goodness, and gentleness is by not having a harsh spirit. When we speak to our husbands in a rude tone, we are doing nothing but breaking them down emotionally and setting them up to be men of passivity. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." If we have a negative attitude, our husbands are going to realize that no matter what they do or say, it's not going to be good enough. Therefore, they stop trying. This is not what we want for our marriages, nor is this what God intended.

     We are also called to do good to our husbands. In speaking of the Proverbs 31 woman, the Bible says in Proverbs 31:12, "She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." This is the ultimate goal for us as wives. I know you may be thinking, "All the days of her life? How? What about the days we agrue? What about the days I'm irritated? What about the days I'm just simply in a bad mood?" Yes, girls, we are still required to bring him good on these days as well. Jesus says in Matthew 12:35, "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him." This means that whatever we are storing up in our hearts, whether it be good or evil, is going to eventually come out in our words or actions.

     So I ask you, what are you storing up? Is it kindness, goodness, and gentleness which is going to not only bless your husband, but those around you as well? Or is it bitterness, anger, and harshness which is going to rob your marriage of any peace, love, and gentleness that exists? I'm choosing to store up those things which will only bring good, not harm, to my marriage. Will you make that choice with me today as well, friends?

Dear Heavenly Father, please fill me with your Spirit daily, as I know I am nothing without you. God, you are a God of kindness, gentleness, and goodness, and I will ever praise you. You say in your word that you have loved us with an everlasting love and drawn us with your unfailing kindness. (Jer. 31:3) Lord, I pray that Jeff would be drawn in by the kindness I show him. I desire to be a wife that brings Jeff good all the days of his life, and I ask for your help, as I know I can't do that in my own strength. I also pray that I will be gentle and not harsh to Jeff. God, I want him to fill loved and valued by me, and I know that I must gentle towards him in order for him to fill this way. Please help me to daily clothe myself in compassion,kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You are so good to us God. Thank you for all of your blessings. I love you so much. Amen.