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A Storehouse of Happiness, Part 3 - When Happiness Fails, How Faith Can Restore Our Marriage · Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel

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  Hey everyone, welcome back to the Couples Journey blog series podcast.
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  We're on part three of our series, A Storehouse of Happiness.
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  Here's a powerful question. What happens when our pursuit of happiness relies on worldly things?
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  Today, Rey shares his personal journey of faith, hope, and transformation through
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  life's darkest challenges.
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  Stay with us as he reflects on how genuine dependence on God restored their
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  marriage and redefined what true happiness means. Here's Rey.
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  I shared in our book, Couples Journey, Restore, Relearn, Rejoice,
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  how my marriage with Annie was on the edge when we started facing difficulties in our business.
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  Seeing how much the problem was affecting us deeply breaks my heart.
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  At the same time, it was frustrating because I felt powerless,
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  especially since I'm supposed to be the provider for the family.
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  Initially, I saw the business as a great help, especially as I transitioned
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  from military to civilian life.
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  But as the challenge mounted, hopelessness seemed to take over.
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  Sadly, Annie found it hard to see things the same way.
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  The pressure I felt made me believe happiness was slipping away from our family.
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  At that time, I hadn't committed my life to Jesus Christ yet.
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  When I faced these tough challenges and felt I was losing control over what
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  I thought brought me happiness, I would often think about leaving, about a way out.
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  A faulty perception of happiness was trusting in worldly things, not in God.
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  So, when circumstances get tough, I lack the courage to fight for restoration.
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  Instead, I carelessly wanted to walk away.
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  But things started to change with Annie, and I thank God that he intervened.
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  Considering we have three children, it would have been heartbreaking to end
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  our marriage and divorce.
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  Our circumstances in the business pushed us to renew our faith and accept Jesus Christ.
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  That genuine realization encouraged us to be intentional in this faith journey,
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  leading us to discipleship.
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  Annie and I knew that God would do a lot of work in us when I learned about
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  the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit can grow in me.
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  I knew I would walk through this journey with dependence on His transforming power.
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  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
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  goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
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  Against such thing there is no law. That is the Galatians 5, 22-23.
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  Each day, it's by God's grace that we press on, seeking His guidance and His righteousness.
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  Our established spiritual habits have helped, but above all,
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  it's all God's faithfulness and enable us to move forward, especially during
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  times when our weakness surface.
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  I see the experience God's presence in our household.
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  He is living God, gracious to help us reach full deliverance from any bondage of sin.
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  It's only by His grace that we hold on, even when cycles of broken perceptions
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  of happiness and low empathy try to pull us back.
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  I've tried to practice care as I learned early in my walk with Christ and keep
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  my love for God alive by shining a light in the sin around us.
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  But sometimes things don't go as we hope. Those seasons can become even more painful.
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  It was a tough time for Annie and me, but it was also a valuable learning experience.
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  It was another reason to surrender, leaning on God's moment by moment, trusting in His plan.
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  Despite the challenges, we've come to many realizations.
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  One of the greatest is how to root our happiness in God alone.
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  Eventually, God impressed in our hearts where He originally called us to serve,
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  sharing our testimony, and encouraging others to.
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  Anchored their lives in jesus christ we've learned
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  how impactful it is for a married couple to
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  have an active flow to share faith in
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  god that even during difficult season the couple is strengthened and united
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  by his love and faithfulness i remember joshua 24 15 god's word affirmed what
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  he's been speaking to us during our dark season.
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  It was his confirmation to launch the couple's journey with Christ Jesus' ministry.
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  In Joshua 24, 15, it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord.
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  Choose for yourself today whom you will serve, whether the gods which your father
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  served, which were beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living.
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  But, as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
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  Fellow husband, our role aren't easy. This fallen word makes it even harder.
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  But, with God, everything is different.
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  Our burdens are lighter. And our dependence on Him truly enables and equip us
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  to live out the marriage and life He intended for us.
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  Before we close, we want to invite you to engage with us and support the Couples
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  Journey blog series podcast.
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  By following this channel, leaving comments, and sharing episodes with your family and friends.
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  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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  Learn more about this movement on the website www.couplesjourney.org.
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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 Rey's heartfelt testimony of how God's grace carried
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  him and Annie through their toughest seasons.
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  Remember, when we anchor our happiness in Jesus Christ, nothing can break us apart.
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  Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the fourth part of this series,
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  where we'll hear Annie's reflection on this week's theme. Until then,
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  may God's faithfulness encourage and strengthen your walk with.