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Making Time to Talk - Part 4: Renewed Hearts, Forgiveness and Reconciliation · Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel

• 0:00
  Are your conversations with your spouse slipping into tension instead of connection?
• 0:06
  Welcome to part three of Making Time to Talk.
• 0:09
  Today, Annie reflects on how even in our moments of struggle and disappointment,
• 0:14
  God's Holy Spirit is at work, revealing what's in our hearts and offering opportunities
• 0:19
  for healing through ongoing, intentional conversations.
• 0:23
  If you're walking this journey of faith and marriage. Be encouraged.
• 0:27
  God's grace is sufficient to transform our reactions into responses rooted in
• 0:32
  love and humility. Here's Annie.
• 0:37
  As my husband Ray mentioned yesterday in the week 15th, day 3 blog post,
• 0:42
  it's not always the case that our conversation turned out calm.
• 0:46
  Even when sharing a story sincerely, it could be Satan's way of disrupting our
• 0:51
  attention and provoking a displeased reaction.
• 0:54
  On the other hand, it could also be God's revealing opportunity for us to become
• 0:59
  aware of what's still resting in the core of our hearts.
• 1:03
  In the last week's blog post, I mentioned how C.S. Lewis explored the possibility
• 1:08
  that we might not fully understand the complexities of our hearts,
• 1:12
  particularly when we're faced with a deeply painful situation,
• 1:15
  in his case, his being the lust of his wife.
• 1:19
  This note from Lewis made me reflect on why we react rather than respond,
• 1:24
  in instances where we find ourselves or our spouse feeling this way.
• 1:29
  It is the guidance of the Holy Spirit that can help us navigate those moments
• 1:33
  that unexpectedly touch and reveal a sensitive part of someone's heart.
• 1:38
  This revelation could mark the beginning of a healing journey.
• 1:43
  God will not reveal something, nor will He allow Satan to test us,
• 1:47
  as happened with Jove in Jove 1, verses 6-12, if there is no divine purpose.
• 1:55
  Such a divine purpose can be discovered if we follow up the moment of revelation with conversation.
• 2:02
  Therefore, Ray and I committed to maintain ongoing conversations,
• 2:06
  not just to give each of us space to share our sentiments, but also to help
• 2:11
  each other achieve breakthroughs in our pain.
• 2:15
  It hasn't been an easy commitment, particularly when you find that you or your
• 2:19
  marriage have been surviving by merely brushing things off for quite a while, or even for many years.
• 2:27
  We've experienced the realization that sheds light on the necessity of being
• 2:31
  intentional in this matter,
• 2:33
  and it takes many humbling instances that God has allowed in our path before
• 2:39
  grasping the great importance of intentionality.
• 2:42
  Another challenge we face is establishing a consistent habit and remaining firm in our commitment.
• 2:50
  There have been many instances when we were tempted to give up and revert to how we used to be.
• 2:57
  Today, as we continue progressing on
• 2:59
  this journey, we still anticipate the challenges that will come our way.
• 3:04
  In all such seasons, the truth that grounds us in the message of the gospel.
• 3:09
  It's our relationship with Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit that determines
• 3:14
  God's grace during these stages. from realization to making radical changes
• 3:20
  and continuously moving forward.
• 3:22
  Recently in our conversation, Ray mentioned how truly amazing God's grace is
• 3:28
  and it is indeed sufficient for us.
• 3:31
  As noted in 2 Corinthians 12, verse 9,
• 3:34
  sufficient for us to confront the bad news, the reality of our weaknesses and shortcomings,
• 3:40
  sufficient to humble us in our need for the Savior in the continuous guidance
• 3:45
  of the Holy Spirit, God's words, and the modeling of Jesus Christ.
• 3:50
  Sufficient to persevere in moving forward and journeying with Christ.
• 3:55
  Sufficient to help us overcome temptation and tests while keeping faith against
• 4:02
  the brokenness of this world, the existence of evil, and the weakness of our flesh.
• 4:07
  So, fellow wives, as we find ourselves drifting away and giving up on having
• 4:13
  genuine conversations with our spouses,
• 4:16
  let's not forget that there is help from the Holy Spirit,
• 4:20
  a help that can change the condition of our hearts and remove any wrong thinking,
• 4:26
  enabling us to hear His guidance and fulfill our role toward our husbands.
• 4:31
  Be their suitable helper, as mentioned in Genesis 2 verse 18,
• 4:36
  engage in delightful conversations, and aim to be agreeable in all respects.
• 4:43
  2 Corinthians 12 verse 9 says, And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient
• 4:49
  for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
• 4:53
  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast my weaknesses, so that the power
• 4:59
  of Christ may dwell in me.
• 5:02
  Before we close, we want to invite you to engage with us and support the Couples
• 5:07
  Journey blog series podcast.
• 5:09
  By following this channel, leaving comments, and sharing episodes with your
• 5:14
  family and friends, you're helping us in our mission to transform marriages today.
• 5:20
  Your support encourages more couples to seek God's guidance and grow stronger together.
• 5:25
  Thank you for being part of this journey, together, we can make a difference.
• 5:30
  Here's the final part of today's episode.
• 5:35
  Thank you for listening to Annie's Heartfelt Reflection. Remember,
• 5:39
  in those difficult moments when emotions threaten to overwhelm us,
• 5:43
  God's grace is enough to sustain us.
• 5:45
  It's through the Holy Spirit's guidance and our ongoing commitment to genuine
• 5:50
  conversation that we can experience healing and growth in our marriages.
• 5:55
  Let's choose humility, trust in His sufficiency, and continue pursuing new depths
• 6:01
  of love and understanding. Until next time, may His grace empower you to keep
• 6:06
  making time to talk and to walk in His peace.