The Better Mom Devotional by Ruth Schwenk

Author:Ruth Schwenk
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2018-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Father, teach me the value of being alone with You. Help me be intentional about making space to draw near to You. Speak to me, and draw near to me. I want to root my life deeply in You as I seek to live a life for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• What obstacles keep you from practicing the discipline of solitude?

• How can you begin to be intentional about making time for solitude?

Humility in Marriage

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

—PHILIPPIANS 2:3–4

We all struggle with the sin of pride. If we’re honest, most of us live as if we’re the center of the universe. And marriage doesn’t take away our pride; marriage usually magnifies it. Our own selfishness becomes even more pronounced because we find ourselves bumping up against someone else’s pride.

In order for Jesus to become greater in our marriages, we need to become less. In Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, God is working to cultivate in us the fruit of humility. Humility exchanges “me” for “you.” Humility doesn’t mean demeaning yourself; rather, it is choosing to elevate others.

As Paul wrote in today’s verses, we aren’t to be concerned about only our own needs and desires; we are to consider the needs and desires of others. Humility helps us to listen, be patient, and see our spouses’ perspectives; to be quick to confess when we are wrong; and to sacrificially serve our spouses instead of our ourselves.

Has “selfish ambition” crept into your marriage? Is pride often at the center of your conflict? Then look at the example of Jesus, who came to sacrificially serve. Though He could have, Jesus did not live a “me-centered” life. Live humbly, as He did. Say no to your pride. Today, pray that God would give you an other-centered marriage. A marriage that is growing in humility instead of pride.

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