AHH I cannot believe we’re here… welcome to week SEVEN, our last official week of the Marriage Victory Challenge!! If you’ve made it this far can I just saw how proud I am of you and your commitment to your marriage? The Bible says that the Lord is faithful to reward those who diligently seek Him– so as this challenge draws to a close don’t stop seeking Him regarding your marriage! The purpose of this challenge was to establish a habit of intentionally pouring into your marriage & husband, with the goal of never stopping.
That being said, we saved the best challenge for last…
Allow him to be a person.
Now you may be wondering what I even mean by that or why this is an actual challenge? Truthfully for us as wives, this may sound the easiest, but it’s actually one of the hardest things to do. Ever since the fall, our flesh has been naturally wired to desire control over our husbands. Genesis 3:16 says “Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”
In other words, we will desire to have the final say and to be in control, but it’s actually our husbands that God has given that authority to. When I say authority, I do NOT mean abuse. I simply mean that submitting to our husbands as our heads may not come as easily or naturally as God initially designed prior to sin tainting our world.
This Week’s Marriage Victory Challenge
So what does that look like practically? How do we “allow” Him to be a person. Disclaimer- when I say “allow” I don’t necessarily mean “grant permission” I mean, tame your tongue and let him live life without a constant source of nagging or living with the anticipation of your disapproval.
For example-
-Let him go out with his guys. Just as much as you like time away with your girlfriends, he too needs time to be with the guys! This should come without having to worry about coming home to a bitter or annoyed wife. Again, disclaimer here – this doesn’t apply to him engaging in sinful behavior. I’m not saying to let him go to the strip club or gamble all your money away. I’m just saying if he wants to watch the game with the guys one night, let him. And heck be excited for him!!
-Give him the space he needs! Maybe he likes to go to the gym to clear his mind or enjoys going to go to the driving range to hit golf balls– whatever it is, allow him to have those hobbies and encourage him. Men and women both carry mental and emotional loads. For women it may be overstimulation from caring for the kids all day and for men it could be the pressure of having to provide. Put yourself in his shoes and think what a blessing a couple hours away from everything would be!
A Prayer
Ladies, it is my prayer that this challenge laid the foundation for lasting transformation in your marriages, but most importantly in your hearts. We can’t love our husbands well and serve our families with kindness if our hearts are sick. We need Jesus for everything– especially for the very thing that represents His love for His church: marriage. As these 7 weeks come to an end- I want to leave you with a prayer to pray over your husband, family, and home:
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of marriage. Thank you for my husband and the blessing that he is to me. I ask that you would continue to pour out your grace upon our marriage and make it look more like you. I ask for wisdom to continue to serve my husband in the best way possible. Show me what he needs from me and give me the strength to provide that. I ask for your peace to overwhelm our family and cover our entire home. May our home and our hearts reflect you and your goodness. I pray that you’d strengthen our marriage and always lead us back to you. I trust in your faithfulness and rest in the finished work of the cross. May we bring you glory and honor in all things. In Jesus name, amen.
I do have ONE more surprise challenge for next week so be on the look out for that.
Please please please continue to send testimonies as they continue to happen. God is working, even when we can’t see it. I love you all!! Be blessed sisters 🤎
For weeks 1-6 of this challenge, see here!
