And now, Master God, being the God you are, speaking sure words as you do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You’ve already as much as said that you would, Master God! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently!
2 Samuel 7:28-29
In his book Ruthless Trust, Brennan Manning tells a poignant story about the brilliant ethicist John Kavanaugh when he went to work for three months at “the house of the dying” in Calcutta. Kavanaugh was seeking a clear answer as to how best to spend the rest of his life.
On the first morning there he met Mother Teresa. She asked what she could do for him. When Kavanaugh asked her to pray for him, she asked what she could pray for. He said: “Pray that I have clarity.”
She said firmly, “No, I will not do that.”
When he asked her why, she said, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.”
When Kavanaugh commented that she always seemed to have the clarity he longed for, she laughed and said, “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”
How’s that strike you?
If you’re like us, it’s a bit jolting. After all, we all want clarity to know what God wants us to do. But as we ponder Mother Teresa’s words their profundity can take root. For once we feel we have the clarity we’re looking for we are far less likely to depend on God’s continuing guidance. Isn’t that true?
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. –Corrie ten Boom
Consider this passage from Deuteronomy (1:30-33) and read it as though it was written specifically for the two of you:
This is our prayer for you as you’re setting your sail for the coming year of married life: That in the times when you have clarity and in the times when you don’t, that you would always trust God and his care for you.
Reflect and Respond
In what area do the two of you most need to trust God together?
Go ahead, tell us in the comments.
Related Resource
Offering wisdom and insights for applying biblical truths to our relationships, this book encourages couples to connect and communicate every day. This practical, uplifting guide is perfect for busy couples who long to experience a stronger relationship and better communication. Easy-to-follow daily readings focus on loving each other the way God loves us.
Whenever we had an argument my husband would go to his family and complain about me. So whenever we are good again he can’t go back and change what he said so they have the idea that they can always talk about me to him in a negative manner. I started wondering why would we be inlove one moment and then he would go out and work with them and just out of the blue he would turn stern and angry towards me, I never knew what I did wrong untill I found out that they would send him messages saying they’ve seen me does he know what I’m doing or has he noticed this and that about me all negative and ugly things. He trusts them morethings. I don’t know how to make him see me in a different light as I have no way of changing what they do and how he reacts to it. I confronted them and it made things worse he sided with them and the resentment grows bigger everyday. I think when it comes to this all I can do is trust God coz nothing breaks my heart more then a husband who sees me only in a negative light. I will be still.
Easy to say hard to do:
Children learn & do what parent(s) show them. Words & actions are the tools we use (they can’t see our thoughts) to teach. In John ch.5 Jesus say “….the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the son also does in like manner.” In scripture God says be perfect as I am perfect. We come as adopted children to a new father but as adults we come with baggage, hurts, mistrust, guilt & shame. Think of your children when they were babies they trusted you unconditionally they had no preconceived notion of what you may or may not do to them. That’s why we go to God as children (tuff to do as an adult.) some people have been mistreated by their earthly parents so it’s difficult for them to trust a heavenly father. Jesus never hurt anyone if He only does what His Father do God can be trusted. After all God put skin on & came to His children (us) & died for us. This is faith
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Are we meant to be together? Did God intend for us to be together? There is no respect in our marriage and very little love for each other. My trust has evaporated. I am disappointed and very lonely. Very very angry. I am trying to get over how selfish someone can be. I have lost who I am through this whole circumstance. I need The Lord to come into my heart so I can forgive and let go. Marriage is the hardest thing if I didn’t have my child I honestly can say I would not be married!! I don’t know if I could ever trust again!!