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RENEWAL Devotional: Bring Respect Back Into Your Marriage
Written by Lydia D’Ross, Ordained Minister and Outreach Chaplain for Renewal at Brookhaven Hospital
In
every marriage, there will always be some sort of conflict, and this is pretty normal. The conflict can be interpreted as a negative or it can play a positive role in the marriage. When addressing conflict in any relationship, but especially in a marital relationship, mutual respect is important.
There needs to be a “line of respect” for yourself and for others when you are going through difficult times in your marriage. One way to do this is to have healthy boundaries. You need to take care of yourself, and know when you can discuss your feelings and when you need to be alone. It is also important to have respect for the other person, and whatever they are going through rather than taking it on as your own problem to solve.
Conflict can redefine your priorities. Most of us are not brought up to see any positive side of conflict, and are taught, instead, to avoid it. If we can learn to redefine how we view a tough or uncomfortable situation, we could learn to have respect for ourselves and respect for others. “Show proper respect to everyone.” 1 Peter 2:17
Too many times we get offended over what someone said, rather than embrace the opportunity to become better stewards over our own emotional reactions to these situations. Can you walk away when someone has angered or offended you? Most marriages with serious conflicts involve two people who have stopped respecting one another and have failed to honor one another in the same manner.
Take a positive step today! Redefine who you are through Christ! See yourself as He sees you. You are valuable and the apple of God’s eye. Psalms 17:8.