030: Staying Power with Carol Kent|The Living Room - a podcast by Joanna Weaver

"God can take everything the enemy intended for evil and use it for your good!" 
Have you ever felt added pressure on your marriage from a circumstance completely out of your control? Challenges like infidelity, financial upheaval, rebellious children, or a traumatic accident can shape and influence our marriages dramatically.

In this episode, bestselling author and international speaker, Carol Kent, shares from her newest book, Staying Power: Building a Stronger Marriage When Life Sends Its Worst. Carol and her husband, Gene, have walked through difficult seasons together as they faced the initial shock and acceptance of the permanent incarceration of their only son. They partnered in writing this powerful book with Dave and Cindy Lambert, who have experienced heartaches of their own, to provide practical insight and wisdom for all couples to withstand the inevitable stressors and outside circumstances that too often weaken or destroy marriages.If your marriage is currently undergoing great hardship, you are looking for ways to strengthen your marriage or you are just stepping into marriage, this is for you!
{ USE PLAYER BAR @ TOP OF PAGE to listen to show, subscribe and share }Important Takeaways from Show

All of the answers to today's problems are found in the Word of God
Bad things will happen because we live in a fallen world - We will not be completely free of stress, pain and suffering until we get to HeavenStaying power is the commitment to stay connected to God's Word and to our spouse in difficult times
When tragedy strikes we have the opportunity to allow the situation to become a platform to glorify God and His KingdomWhen you are in the middle of suffering, look for ways to serve and bless someone and you will experience joy
Make pre-decisions: Before suffering strikes choose to respect and listen to your spouse and serve them sacrificially no matter whatPractice automatic forgiveness: Remind yourself that your spouse loves you and has good intentions towards you so you can be quick to forgive him
Control your tongue: Intentionally find ways to uplift, encourage and affirm your spouseAgree to disagree: Each spouse will process and respond to hardships and tragedies in a different way
Time-outs: Allow yourself and your spouse to take a break from all the decisions and heavinessBe willing to accept help from other people
Decision making is hard in marriage, but every day is full of the need to make important decisions10-second rule:"Just do the next thing you are reasonably certain Jesus wants you to do and commit to it immediately in the next ten seconds before you change your mind"- Clare De Graaf
Evaluate, meditate on God's Word, discuss it with your spouse and move forward with a decision
Relinquish your expectations to God and allow Him to give purpose to your pain and joy to your heartForgiveness does not negate the wrong done to you, but it sets you free from bitterness and anger to walk in joy and love
God can take everything the enemy intended for evil and use it for your goodShe brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. ~ Proverbs 31:12Links from Show
New Book: Staying Power: Building a Stronger Marriage When Life Sends Its WorstPrevious Book: When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances
Speak Up MinistriesSpeak Up For Hope
[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.] 
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