Archive for the ‘Marriage Walk Weekly’ Category

Through life there are ups, there are downs and there are days when everything just seems bland and indifferent. When a marriage has fallen apart or is hurting, the down days seem more frequent.

But…as Annie knew and as we all should keep in mind each day, The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow. It won’t always be how it is today or this week or month or even year. So much of it is even in your own hands! No, maybe the circumstances you find yourself in right now are not completely within your control, but your choice to be strong, joyful and resilient are absolutely your choice!

One amazing thing about our planet is how God set it up in evening…and morning. In less than 24 hours it will be a new, different day. No matter what day it is, you’re only hours away from a brand new day. A brand new resolve, new attitude, new love for life and for your God.

Hold on to faith, as impossible is things may seem, that God is in control and remember “tho the wrong seem oft so strong, God is the ruler yet!”.

Finish strong!

Seth

It’s been quite a while since my last newsletter, and I’m sorry for that! After having sent them weekly for months several personal things have come up, including my mom (53) getting very ill with cancer and it’s been difficult to stay on top of writing.

However, excuses aside, after many requests and some dedicated time again, Marriage Walk Weekly is back!

The day after a holiday, such as Independence Day can be a big down time for those hurting for their marriage. Holidays themselves cause remembrances of days gone by; memories of those holidays spent with their spouse in a loving, family environment. When that relationship is broken, especially when you don’t want it to be, the holidays can be hard to bear.

However, I believe holidays are needed! Stress levels are so high during marriage problems that if you can learn to relax and breathe and let God work in your life and in your marriage, holidays bring that relief. I know how hard it can be to even want to take your mind off of things in your life sometimes, but if you’ll allow yourself to go out, have fun, enjoy what you have and the blessings God has given you, you might be amazed at how things begin to improve in your life….and even in your marriage even if your spouse isn’t around to see it (yet). Your own attitude and learning to enjoy life, relax and let God handle what you cannot is contagious. It will make you a better person, a more enjoyable person and may well open the eyes of the one you love.

So, even though Independence Day may be over, celebrate your own independence from fear…from anger…from hopelessness. Celebrate independence from control and give what you cannot do yourself to God. He’s not concerned, fearful or hopeless – let go and let God!

Happy 4th of July and thank you to all Veterans and those currently in the Armed Forces for your continued protection of our freedom.

Seth

In my new Daily Guide and Journal called “Standing for My Marriage” I outline the top 9 emotions that those standing for the healing of a hurting marriage deal with during their stand; those being worry, anger, stress, hurt, fear, depression, obsession, control and giving up.

That last emotion, giving up, can also be categorized as hopelessness, a devastating feeling when all seems lost, it seems that God is nowhere to be found and you are alone in bearing the weight of your situation on your shoulders. It’s a tough place to be, and one I know very well. Absolutely turning your situation over to God, allowing Him (even when He can seem so silent) to be in control though things seem so out of control is one of the most incredible gifts He gives to His people: the right to cast those problems, worries and difficulties on Him. What other god gives that grace…that luxury? What human creation offers such peace in the middle of such a difficult storm? None that I can count on, that’s for sure.

I can, however, count on God. Not always can I count on Him to do things how I want them done, because I simply can’t see the whole picture. But I can count on Him to bear the pain with me, to walk beside me, though silent much of the time, loving me, guiding me, gently prodding me toward His will and giving me a place to cast my cares when they are too much for me to handle.

Take a moment to reflect on 1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Reading it with conviction, with power, with affection and with love, our Mighty God, full of the problems of the world, full of the wars, the bickering, the horrific dissension among His own people gives a simple yet absolutely freeing sentence to His followers: give Me your anxiety; give Me your worry.

Wow.

This week, worry will find a way to creep in. This week, anxiety will try and convince you that all is lost, that hopelessness is your life and that God is not there listening to you.

Peter believed otherwise.

So do I.

What about you? It’s a choice, you know. You can hang on to the burden. You can hang on to the worry and the fear. But why would you when you can give it to One who actually knows how it ends and gives us the freedom to smile and be joyful through it.

Will is give it to Him this week? You will be blessed to feel the relief of that burden. He cares for you.

Seth

“Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God, when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes, and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,” declares the LORD. 2 Chronicles 34:26-27 (NAS)

Last week I received numerous emails, Facebook messages and website contacts regarding the week of prayer and fasting. So many of you joined with my family and me in that and we are very thankful for everyone! I know it was a blessing in the lives of those who participated as well as all of you that we prayed for.

As we approach a change in the seasons and warmer weather, we’re also praying for a change in the hearts of those we love; for a warming in their heart back toward their families. I know how difficult life can be when you’re praying for a marriage to be saved. I also know the joy that awaits those in the end who remain faithful to the call to stand as God directs in your own life and journey.

Reading the verse posted above from 2 Chronicles is a reminder of the spirit God always expects from His people; a spirit of humility and tenderness. Especially in regards to His will and toward people. It is so important to our own walk in life that we make the daily decisions that express humility, love and faithfulness even when it’s not shown to us. Actually, especially when it’s not shown to us. There is no better way to soften a hardened heart than to show genuine love, gentleness and kindness back to it.

A good exercise this week for everyone is to put note on your bathroom mirror with that verse printed on it and a reminder to stay cool and show those traits no matter what comes up during the day. Practice it! It won’t happen immediately for everyone…but as you practice showing humility and love in all situations, it will become easier and easier, no matter how hard it is today.

You can do it! And this week, we’ll be praying for strength for all those choosing to show Godly traits when human flesh wants to do the opposite.

Have you checked out the new step-by-step daily guide and journal for standers called “Standing for My Marriage”? It’s available now on the SeashellMarriage.com website and on Amazon.com. Of course, if you want a copy, shipping is always free if you order from here.

Have a blessed week and keep your faith strong, praying daily for God’s will in your life and your marriage.

Seth

This week is going to be a special week. I believe it will impact marriages throughout this world. My wife and I have decided this week to fast and to pray. We’re seeking God’s direction for our own situations and also praying for your marriages this week; for each person that has come to MarriageWalk.com and asked for prayer for their marriage.

We’re standing with you in prayer because we believe it is God’s will for marriages to be whole, to be loving, nurturing, caring, selfless yet needs being met. We’ve also had new situations arise in our family that we felt led to spend this week praying for and asking for God’s wisdom and direction and breakthrough.

We’d like to ask everyone who feels led as well to fast and to pray with us this week. We are fasting Monday, Wednesday and Friday and spending those times on our knees before a loving God who hears our prayers. We are seeking His will in our own life as well as seeking Him for your marriage. Will you pray with us this week? Not only for your own marriage but for all marriages across this world that are hurting. And will you pray for my family too, that God will direct us in the way He wants us to go and for breakthroughs in our own situation? We need your prayers this week very much.

As we prepare ourselves spiritually for this week, and as we pray for God to soften hardened hearts, here are a few verses of encouragement to remember that He hears those who humbly come before Him:

Isaiah 66:2
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”

Matthew 18:3-4
And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Psalm 145:18-19
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We will be praying with you this week. If you feel led to pray with and for us, we appreciate it. God is a mighty God; He is love; He hears our prayers.

For those of you who pre-ordered the new guide and journal “Standing for My Marriage” all copies are being shipped tomorrow! I’m excited to get this daily guide into your hands!

For those wanting to still order it, you can get it at the pre-order rate of only $9.95 through this week. Go to www.seashellmarriage.com/store/ to purchase. You can also purchase it with the paperback combo of my first book “Seth’s Seashell Methods of Marriage” for only $23, also good through this week.

Have a blessed week and please share with us your testimonies of how God is working in your life and marriage through your dedication of fasting and prayer this week. We always want to hear how your life is changed and blessed.

Seth