Marriage

14 Days To A Hopeful Marriage

comehomeforcomfort

I’ve learned a very difficult but beautiful truth in the last few years. Here it is in three parts:

  • Doing all the right things will not keep my marriage from difficult times
  • God brings difficulty in marriage to bring growth and change in my own heart
  • My hope for a long-lasting, beautiful marriage cannot be placed in my husband – or in myself. My hope must always be in God.

The passage I’m focusing on this year illustrates this beautifully.

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 1 Peter 3:1-6

No matter where you are in your marriage – if you feel hopeful or if you feel hopeless, I want to encourage you with that truth. Place your hope in God, allow Him to work in your heart and then watch as He creates something that is precious in His sight!

Something else I’ve learned is that I must be intentionally invested in my marriage every single day. It’s much more dangerous than skipping a week of housework or not making a menu plan! Just like I have to wipe the counters, empty the trash, put away the dishes and vacuum the floors to keep my house in top shape, I have to maintain my marriage with the choices I make every day.

Want to join me? I have created a simple challenge that I’m calling 14 Days to a Hopeful Marriage. If you start on February 1st, you can end up on Valentine’s Day with a hopeful heart (and maybe a happy husband – results not guaranteed 🙂 ).

  1. Pray 1 Peter 3:1-6 for yourself, asking God to direct your hope to Him!
  2. Text your husband during the day and ask him how his day is going.
  3. Pray Micah 6:8 for your husband, particularly as it relates to his job.
  4. Greet your husband at the end of the day with a smile and a kiss!
  5. Pray 1 Peter 3:1-6 for yourself, asking God to direct your hope to Him!
  6. Find a picture of you and your husband – text it to him with the reason why you love that picture of you together.
  7. Pray Philippians 1:9-11 for your husband.
  8. Plan ahead for your Valentine’s Day gift or card (Dollar Tree has great cards).
  9. Pray 1 Peter 3:1-6 for yourself, asking God to direct your hope to Him!
  10. Forgive your husband when he makes a mistake.
  11. Purchase a small gift to leave in your husband’s car – his favorite candy, drink, or a gift card to Starbucks.
  12. Pray 2 Peter 3:18 for your husband.
  13. Thank your husband for something today.
  14. Pray 1 Peter 3:1-6 for yourself, asking God to direct your hope to Him – even if Valentine’s Day doesn’t turn out the way you wanted or imagined.

Who’s in? I want to help you remember to follow along with each day’s prompt, so I’ll post it each morning on my Instagram story. If you’d rather have them all at once, click here to download the full list to print or access on your phone.

Leave a comment if you’re joining – I would love to pray for you as you place your hope in God! ❤ I’m going to do the challenge too. I can’t wait to see what God does in my heart!

43 thoughts on “14 Days To A Hopeful Marriage”

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  5. My husband and I celebrated our 31st anniversary in November, but have been going through some trials with his mental health(clinical depression)since he retired from the Army/US Public Health Service. I know God is working in our marriage but sometimes it’s hard. At times I feel like I’ve lost my best friend and soulmate, so count me in!

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  6. I love this idea! My husband and I will celebrate 36 years of marriage in March. My hope is to never take our relationship for granted and to focus daily on strengthening our marriage.

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  9. I am in ! I may have to switch days around a little but I’ll make it work with God’s help. Thank you for this. I’m looking forward to growing closer to the Lord first and with that, closer to my husband.

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  12. We are 75 and 68 and third marriage for him, and second for me..We were married on Valentine’s Day 2004! We have had very hard times and almost divorced at one time. Lately, for whatever reason we have been doing very well. I am totally into this challenge so count me in! I love it! Thank you so much for doing this.

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  13. We’ll be married 27 years in April and it’s still always good to be reminded of these truths! Thanks so much for doing this Whitney, I printed it out and I’m all in! Have a great day!

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  18. I’m in! This sounds like a great idea. The Lord gave us instructions for a godly marriage and this is the perfect time to be reminded of what it says in the Word. Thank you Whitney

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  21. Yes! I’m joining you! Excited to do this and see the Lord work, and I appreciate your prayers too. Thanks, Whitney 🙂

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  24. My marriage is seasoned – that just means we’ve had lots more lessons to learn, not that we’ve arrived! I, too, must work at it every single day. I love your challenge. Count me in! ❤️

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