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Making Time to Talk - Part 3: When Disagreements Come, Embrace Grace & Growth · Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel

• 0:00
  Have you ever reacted impulsively to your spouse's words, only to regret it later?
• 0:06
  Welcome to part 3 of Making Time to Talk. Today, Ray reflects on a personal
• 0:11
  moment, how even in our journey with Christ, we still stumble and fall into
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  old habits, especially in moments of disappointment.
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  If you're walking a path of faith in marriage, this story reminds us that grace
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  is essential, And God's power transforms our reactions into opportunities for
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  growth and reconciliation. Here's Ray.
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  The other day, I had a full work schedule. I had to squeeze in an exam required
• 0:40
  for my work during my supposedly good break hours.
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  I wasn't sure if I would have a chance to go home and have the usual brunch with my wife, Annie.
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  So I called her. On my way to the office for my exam, I check in to see how her morning was going.
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  She mentioned a story that somehow irritated me.
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  I knew she didn't mean to trigger disappointment while telling me about her morning.
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  I let the story bother me to the point that it affected my performance on the exam.
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  I did have a chance to go home, and I told her that I was upset.
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  I raised my voice. After some time, Annie followed me to our bedroom where I
• 1:30
  was preparing to go back to work, and she apologized. I also apologize to her for raising my voice.
• 1:38
  Even though we choose to journey intentionally with Christ, it doesn't mean
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  that we will no longer fall into the heated situations like what happened to us recently.
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  It's not about justifying ourselves or rationalizing things.
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  Between Annie and me, we know that we are God's continuous work in progress.
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  Our wrong perception of Christianity can shift our focus and attention when
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  we find ourselves amid a simple disappointment, just like what happened to us.
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  In this instance, the weakness of my flesh yielded to Satan's temptation to
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  react to a simple story that my wife was telling me.
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  We have a choice to either ask forgiveness quickly or remain stubborn.
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  It's only by God's grace and the conviction of the Holy Spirit that we are enabled
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  to comfort our heart and be loving, apologetic to each other.
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  Of course, such incidents do not press our usual conversation by the end of the day.
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  Annie and I didn't just commit dealing with our conflict right away.
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  We also intentionally take some time to discuss them and have conversation to improve ourselves.
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  We'll give each other time to express the cause of our disappointment so that
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  we can reach an understanding and share how we can support each other.
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  Finally, we bring our petition to God for His continuous guidance.
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  We're commanded by God to love each other and to be in harmony with one another.
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  1 Corinthians 1, verse 10. As much as we want to sincerely obey this command,
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  we acknowledge it's not easy. In fact, it's impossible.
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  We're broken people living in a broken world, which means, at times,
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  we can find ourselves being very unloving or difficult.
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  This is why we need the help and continuous guidance.
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  The command given to us is not something we can easily accomplish alone in this world.
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  We can only hope to follow the steps towards such command through God's grace, mercy, and love.
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  Now, I exhort to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
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  that you all agree that there be no division among you,
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  but that you may complete in the same mind, in the same judgment.
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  1 Corinthians 1.10 For husbands and wives, it's continuous choice to stand firm
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  in our commitment to ensure that we spend quality time with God.
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  It's our relationship with Christ that humbles us to submit to his authority.
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  It's not any nor any other people surrounding me.
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  Who would trigger the change in my heart or mind.
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  If we allow ourselves to stay in such a position, we risk falling into temptation
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  of false modesty, like being people pleaser.
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  Yes, we can think of others above ourselves, just as the Apostle Paul mentioned
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  in Philippians 2, verse 3 to 8.
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  But before that, our humility is primarily defined by our fear of God and our
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  recognition of His authority in our relationship with Him.
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  We are ultimately an audience of one, just as Jesus Christ focused on God the
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  Father during His ministry here on earth.
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  Jesus said, For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will,
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  but the will of Him who sent me.
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  John 6, verse 38.
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  Before we close We want to invite you to engage with us And support the Couples
• 5:59
  Journey blog series podcast,
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  By following this channel Leaving comments And sharing episodes with your family
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  and friends You're helping us in our mission to transform marriages today.
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  Your support encourages more couples to seek God's guidance and grow stronger together.
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  Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can make a difference.
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  Here's the final part of today's episode.
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  Thank you for listening to Ray's Honest Reflection. Remember,
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  living out God's command to love and be in harmony isn't always easy,
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  but it is possible through His grace.
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  Every stumble is a chance to lean into His mercy, seek forgiveness,
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  and strengthen our commitment to one another.
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  And most importantly, to Christ.
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  Let's keep choosing humility, patience, and love in our conversations.
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  Trusting that with God's help, we can reflect His love in our marriage each day.
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  Until next time, stay rooted in Christ and continue making time to talk and to love.