Steps to Finding the Will of God for your Marriage First: Seek RighteousnessIn spite of adversity, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (his way of doing and being right). There are many prayers in Prayers That Avail Much that will help you stay focused on God’s will, purpose and plan for your life.In First Samuel 25 we read about a wise woman named Abigail. She was the wife of a wealthy man who was not only ungodly but also despicable. Even when he chose to do the wrong thing, she did what was right. She did not stoop to the level of her circumstances, and she was later blessed for her righteousness. F.B. Meyer writes in his commentary, “Do not step down to the level of your circumstances, but lift them to your own high calling in Christ.” (Taken from AMPLIFIED BIBLE, Copyright©1954, 1958, 1962, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)

“Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.” Psalm 119:34 NLT

Second: Seek God’s Perspective

Purpose to see beyond the present circumstances. It is important to remember that circumstances are always temporal and subject to change, yet that which is eternal will never change.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

Isaiah 55:8 KJV

Follow the Lord daily, and he will direct your path. Joshua and the Hebrew army didn’t see any sense to God’s instructions to march around the city day after day, yet they trusted in God’s perspective. Their obedience led to deliverance.

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

Proverbs 20:24 NLT

Third: Seek to Renew Your Mind

Let go of obsessive thinking and compulsive behavior in order to avoid spiritual shipwreck! Negative thoughts lead to discouragement and despair. They make situations worse. Disappointments don’t have to lead to despondency.

I lie in the dust; revive me by your word.

Psalm 119:25 NLT

The author of Psalm 119 knew of disappointments, but he also knew of the power of God’s word. When you meditate on the word of God, you become more like him. You will find yourself thinking positive, hopeful thoughts. God will release his great power and do great things for you. As you fill your mind with God’s words, you will notice that the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) begins to manifest in your actions.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Romans 12:2a NKJV

Fourth: Seek Peace

A born-again spouse must hold up a pattern of right behavior in an unfortunate marriage. This may mean that a wife will have to give an ultimatum while trusting God with the outcome, in order to keep her in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. The Scriptures tell us that if an unbelieving spouse desires to leave, let him/her go.

But if the unbelieving partner [actually] leaves, let him do so; in such [cases the remaining] brother or sister is not morally bound. But God has called us to peace.

1 Corinthians 7:15 AMP

God has called you to peace! God himself is your exceeding great joy. He has promised that you shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.

A wife needs to remember that she is not her husband’s savior! There is only one Savior, and His name is Jesus! Therefore, if God be for you, who can be against you?

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7b NLT

Are you ready to do things God’s way or would you rather continue as you are? You cannot change your situation unless you change the way you do things. Someone once said that if you keep doing the same thing over and over, you will get the same results over and over.

I am praying for you that your faith will not fail.

And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].

Malachi 2:15-16 AMP

Copyright © Germaine Copeland 2006