Examining SELF

This week Ive been writing about becoming the best version of you, no matter where your relationship is at. And how finding direction through Jesus is the best way to get there.

If you have not read my last two posts “Your spouse dosnt have to change, you do.” And “Becoming the best version of you, what exactly does that mean?” I urge you to read all those in collaboration with this one. They all stem from one thought I had, “You can be the only person who changes and see great new beginnings”.

Everyday I read a little and I write a little, it keeps my mind moving in one direction, spiritual growth. Let me share a survey that was done in 2021, I forget who conducted it though, that had an outcome of this; 70% of those surveyed proclaimed themselves proudly (emphasis mine) as Christians, but when asked about spiritual growth (becoming more like Christ) only 9% were actually actively working on it. I didn’t find this information condemning though, I found it challenging.

If I am constantly complaining about my interactions with my husband, or anyone, I need to look at me. I can’t change anyone else, but I can change my reaction, and just maybe that will allow a moment of reflection for the other person. If you are a parent what have you taught your children, or maybe you heard it growing up, “be the better/bigger person” or how about “kill’em with kindness”. Now, don’t get me wrong there are those moments you’ve got to just walk away and say nothing because the way the situation is going, maybe the words are hurtful or just the snide look on someone’s face is enough to have thoughts of throat punching flitting through your mind, but for the most part I’m sure you can think back to your part in these situations and you took the words wrong or you were already having a pissy kinda day. Maybe you were exhausted or hangry! I’ve found at least half of the silly arguments/disagreements between myself and Ron stemmed from  me. Yup, when I had a moment to get out of “self” I could see clearly that I had my part, and sometimes that was the bigger part, in the heated moment.

All of this brings us back to the beginning, you can be the only person who changes and see great new beginnings.

Here are few versus that I read this week and made notes on.

All of these encourage spiritual growth through Jesus.

2 Corinthians 13:5-7 “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves- that Jesus Christ is in you? -unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test…”

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Hebrews 6:1 “Therefor let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward in maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God.”

If you still do not see that you can be the biggest change in your marriage, I encourage you to seek a friend who will sit and pray with you for breakthrough.

Big things happen through prayer.

Until next time, stay Anchored in Love & Guided by King!

Perfectly Imperfect,

Sam