How to Love Each Other in Stressful Times - Crosswalk Couples Devotional - October 3

How to Love Each Other in Stressful Times
By: Carrie Lowrance

“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7

Marriage is a fun and interesting adventure that takes love, respect, patience, grace, and work. This comes into play when you move. Not to another town but a whole new state. Some say that sometimes the pain of change has to be greater than the pain of where you are at.

This is where my husband and I were a little over a year ago. Tired of the lack of opportunities, the political climate and fourteen inches of snow in the winter where we were living. With much consideration and prayer, we decided to move to a new state.

Once we made this decision, it was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating at the same time. We had decided we would live by faith and not by sight. We had faith that it was time for a change, and we trusted God would work things out.

Those were exhausting days, full of packing, cleaning, and making last-minute arrangements. Much love, patience, and grace were necessary. Amidst all the changes going on, it was not a time to fight. We were in this together and we trusted what God had for us in our next chapter.

Moving day came. They loaded the moving truck, our cars were ready, and it was time to go. The day was exciting; we were off on a whole new adventure. We had visited our new city the previous year and loved it. However, we had only seen pictures of our new apartment and my husband hadn’t landed a job yet. I was nervous about how our pets would do on the drive down. We still lived by faith and not by sight.

The Lord showed up. He provided us with a beautiful apartment that accepted pets, including our rabbit. My writing work has picked up, and he has provided me more opportunities to write for His glory, for which I am thrilled. He also provided my husband with a new job that is a perfect fit for him. This is the best job he has ever had.

I am so thankful for all the Lord has done for us since we have been here and can’t wait to see what else he has planned for us. Through this experience, we have learned to trust Him and not lean on our own understanding when things are uncertain. To authentically live by faith and not by sight.

Are you planning a big move too? Are you trying not to cave under the pressure of everything that needs to get done? Do you find that you and your husband are fighting more? Here is the best way to handle things during this stressful time.

• Pray for God’s guidance and direction.
• Work as a team with your spouse.
• Practice patience, love, and grace with your spouse.
• Pray for God’s peace when you feel unsure about something.
• Ask God for help when you come against a roadblock.
• Pray with and for each other during this stressful time.
• Take a time out from packing. (Go for a walk together, go out to eat, or go get dessert somewhere.)
• Remember to be considerate of each other.
• If you argue, forgive each other and pray for God to forgive you both as well.

When you keep these tips in mind, pray, and trust the Lord in faith and not sight, the best is yet to come in this new chapter of your life.

Carrie Lowrance is a writer and author. Her work has been featured on Huffington Post, The Penny Hoarder, Crosswalk, and Same Journey. She is also the author of two children's books, Don't Eat Your Boogers (You'll Turn Green) and Brock's Bad Temper (And The Time Machine). You can find out more about Carrie and her writing at www.carrielowrance.com.

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