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Don’t Just Talk About It-Do Something - Part 3: Faith in the Face of Challenges · Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel

• 0:00
  What happens when life's challenges extend beyond just you and your spouse?
• 0:05
  Welcome to part three of Don't Just Talk About It, Do Something,
• 0:09
  where Ray shares insights on navigating change amid external circumstances.
• 0:13
  Today, we'll hear how relying on God through difficult seasons can turn obstacles
• 0:18
  into opportunities for growth and deeper faith. Here's Ray.
• 0:24
  Even with the natural differences between husband and wife, taking action involved
• 0:30
  just the two of us can still be manageable.
• 0:32
  But when circumstances involve more entities, other system, people,
• 0:39
  or external factor, the changes we desire to implement can become much more challenging.
• 0:46
  Communication often becomes more complicated and the range of consideration must be accounted for.
• 0:55
  When Annie and I discussed this week's blog, many testimonies came to mind.
• 1:01
  In the end, we choose to share our experience with finances,
• 1:06
  an area that called our attention and brought us closer to God in the process.
• 1:12
  Before pandemic, we began experiencing changes in our business.
• 1:17
  We tried every resource available until we simply couldn't find any more option. and COVID-19 hits.
• 1:25
  When the lockdown was implemented, we initially felt a bit of relief realizing
• 1:32
  that those early hardships had helped us adapt better to the major economic impact.
• 1:39
  But after the lockdown, new challenges arose.
• 1:44
  Importation issue, shift in consumer behaviors, and increase in competition
• 1:50
  from international players in e-commerce, all of which drastically affected our finances.
• 1:58
  The hardest part was navigating circumstances beyond our control.
• 2:04
  Our desire to make changes wasn't easy. We found ourselves in a vulnerable position.
• 2:11
  I still remember those days when I didn't even dare to answer calls from lender
• 2:16
  or the mortgage company.
• 2:18
  Because I didn't know what to say. The impact on our family was significant,
• 2:23
  and we had to talk openly with our children about what was happening.
• 2:30
  It was only later that we realized how God used those times to teach us many lessons.
• 2:36
  It was during this period that we developed a family prayer,
• 2:42
  time, and sincerely sought God's guidance.
• 2:45
  We began collecting testimonies of how God has stayed us through it all. We are awestruck.
• 2:53
  How He turned our situation around and surprisingly provided help in ways we never expected.
• 3:01
  This became a constant reminder of Philippians 4, verse 6, that we should not be anxious,
• 3:09
  but instead bring everything to God in prayers, trusting His divine guidance
• 3:15
  lest we fall into destructive decisions that could worten the situation.
• 3:21
  Temptation to worry and give up were real.
• 3:26
  And I saw Annie sometimes fall into deep concerns.
• 3:31
  But we continuous process, we rely on God and remaining sensitive to His work
• 3:40
  that kept us moving forward.
• 3:42
  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,
• 3:49
  Let your requests be known to God.
• 3:52
  Philippians 4.6 Sometimes our simple and sincere desire to improve our lives
• 3:58
  and desire better for our family can lead us in different direction.
• 4:04
  We can become overwhelmed, vulnerable, and even question our life's choice.
• 4:10
  But in those moments, God is calling us to pay attention.
• 4:15
  We might be focused on the outcome we want,
• 4:19
  But often, the most valuable lessons are found in the journey itself.
• 4:24
  Indeed, change is not easy. But when that change involves shifting our desires
• 4:31
  to live according to God's design, His will, and His purpose,
• 4:37
  who can stand against us?
• 4:39
  What, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
• 4:46
  He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him over for us all,
• 4:54
  how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
• 4:59
  Romans 8.31-32 Challenges and calls for change will continue throughout various seasons of life.
• 5:09
  It's a matter of how we respond, our choices, and dependence on Christ.
• 5:16
  With Him, change can be profound and purposeful.
• 5:21
  It may not make life challenge-proof, but it is a continuous journey of relearning and transformation.
• 5:31
  As He changes us into Christlikeness, we discover a new life full of endurance,
• 5:40
  grace, and divine purpose.
• 5:44
  Before we close, we want to invite you to engage with us and support the Couples
• 5:49
  Journey blog series podcast.
• 5:51
  By following this channel, leaving comments, and sharing episodes with your
• 5:56
  family and friends, you're helping us in our mission to transform marriages today.
• 6:01
  Your support encourages more couples to seek God's guidance and grow stronger together.
• 6:07
  Thank you for being part of this journey, together, we can make a difference.
• 6:12
  Here's the final part of today's episode.
• 6:17
  As we conclude today's episode, remember that true change often involves external battles.
• 6:22
  But with God's guidance, we can overcome them.
• 6:26
  Ray encourages us to trust in His divine purpose even when circumstances seem overwhelming.
• 6:31
  Let's continue to depend on Him, embracing the journey of transformation,
• 6:36
  one step of faith at a time.
• 6:38
  Join us tomorrow as Annie, Ray's wife, will share her reflections on the series.
• 6:43
  Thanks for tuning in and may God bless you and your marriage.