Week 7

MAKING THE MOST OF A DIFFICULT MARRIAGE

By Sandra Clifton, D.Min.

 

Begin your study by reading “Making the Most of a Difficult Marriage” by Winifred W. Morris (SpiritLed Woman magazine, Dec/Jan, 2007).

 

Introduction

Abigail, the wife of David (from the Old Testament), went through times of hurting and difficulty in her marriage, yet she is a role model for women today. Why? In her less-than-perfect marriage situation, she refused to be the victim. In the Bible, her story is a powerful one that can give hope and encouragement to many women.

 

What God Says

Read 1 Sam. 25:3-39.

 

Write it out. Ps. 138:3. Think of what it means and how it can be applied to your life, no matter what difficult situation you face.

 

Deeper Insight

Read the following Scriptures (in New King James Version, as the exercises to follow will be based on that). Make brief notes of how each passage reminds you of your strength and worth in God.

 

PS. 138:3:____________________________________________________

 

Ps. 139:13-14:___________________________________________________

 

Jer. 29:11-13: __________________________________________________

 

Rom. 8:37:  ___________________________________________________

 

Application

Below are scriptures (NKJV) taken from the previous Deeper Below Insight section. Fill in the blanks with the missing words, then look them up and see how you did. Write them out and memorize them. This exercise will strengthen you in the Lord, to give you the victory over any difficult situations, no matter what they are.

 

Ps. 138: 3: “In the ___ when I ____ out, You _________ me, and made me ____ with _______ in my soul.”

 

Ps. 139: 13: “For You formed my _______ part; You covered me in my _________’s womb.”

Jer. 29: 11:”For I know the _______ that I think toward ____, says the _____,  thoughts of _____ and not of _____, to give you a ________ and a _____.”

 

Rom. 8:37: “Yet in ___ these _______ we are more than ___________ through ____ who ________ us.”

 

For Group Study

Begin your group time by reading aloud Jer. 29:11, and then discuss what it means. Encourage members of the group to discuss how they might use this Scripture passage in various situations to encourage others.

End the meeting by praying for marriages—that wholeness and healing come to them. Bless them in Jesus’ name.

 

Prayer:

Read aloud as part of your prayer Romans 8:37. Thank the Lord that He gives you the victory as a conqueror through Him, every single time, no matter what you face or walk through.

 

Prayer

Read aloud as part of your prayer Ps. 119: 32. Thank Him for giving you a servant’s heart—to obey and to serve Him and to delight in all His ways! Thank Him for this blessing!