THE CULTURE THING....
Are the ways and culture of your husband, upbringing or environment affecting you?As sisters many of you were brought up differently. What was considered "the right thing" to do in your home is NO WHERE normal for your husband. Some of these cultural differences come across very negatively and can even affect you in various areas of your relationship if you let it.
Hey, guess what? Lighten up! If you would be honest, some of these differences were what attracted you in the first place. They were considered cute through the dating and courtship process. You chuckled and giggled at his accent when he spoke, laughed when he did certain gestures and even told your girlfriends the silly "cultural" things he did that just awed you, but now they ANNOY you to the bone!
Do I have a witness? Yes, I know but...... you may say,
He is selfish, wicked, evil, unrighteous, demanding, arrogant, spiteful, dishonest etc...
TODAY'S PRAYER - (Revive Your Heart by Nancy Leigh DeMoss)
Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)
You may say, I can't pray for someone who is unwilling to let go of his cultural differences or has to have things his way- We're different - It's his way or no way!
Who says, that there is a right or wrong way (not referring to evil or wickedness)
Regardless of the cultural differences men are different than women- Not just in their physical structure but in several ways. The truth of the matter they were created to be different even before the culture was brought in to play.
If you were happy before you got married did you overlook the cultural differences or chose to ignore the things that were uncomfortable? Perhaps you didn't do your research or felt that once you got married he would adapt. By now you know you were wrong- The culture is in the DNA!
TODAY'S FOCUS: IDENTIFYING THE DIFFERENCE
We have established that the makeup of male and female are different by nature and by design. However, you must pray that the evil and wickedness of the culture do not influence your husband. Not just cultural differences but environment and association influences that can affect your relationship. Let's take a look at the following scriptures to give you a better insight on the characteristics of your husband:
Proverbs 27:12(KJV)
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
- Is your husband a sensible and strong man?
- Is he a conscious individual?
- Is he an introvert or and extrovert?
- Is he a simple person that can be easily persuaded or influenced by his surroundings?
- Is his behavior part of his upbringing or culture (does it reflect all the men in his family or is it an adopted behavior etc..)
John 17:15 (KJV)
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
- Is your husband focus more on material things or on spiritual things?
- Do you wish or have even spoken of him not being around and that he would be out of your life when the cultural difference get overbearing or consistent?
- Does his culture indicate some kind of satanic indulgence or evil interference?
- Has evil words been spoken over his life by you or by others?
- Have you been praying about the wickedness and evil in a negative way?
- Have you proclaimed righteousness over his spirit?
ACTIVITY:
In your journal make a three-column list of the things that are different in your culture or upbringing. You can probably write His VS Yours and then take a minute and differentiate whether it is Okay, unrighteous, evil or wicked and write it in the third column. If it's not Okay think of some constructive ways you can initiate change.
Additionally, do something for or with your husband that represents or draws him to his culture. (cooking a dish, an outfit, do something with his family or a visit to his hometown etc... be creative) However anything that is evil or wicked in your list
use a double dose of today's prayer and or seek help!
May the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10: 12-13 encourage you. The Message version states that many things that come into your lives are warning markers. The scriptures also have many examples for you so you do not repeat the same mistakes others have made.
Use wisdom - "Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence."
Remember, pray through those difference (use the model of the prayer of Serenity and ask God for His wisdom.
YOUR HUSBAND ACCEPTED YOUR CULTURE WHEN HE MARRIED YOU-
"No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)
Make it an "Appreciate His Culture Day" - Please share your success stories and or leave your comments. All for a better relationship and an exciting life!
God Bless and Keep the Faith!
Virtuous Jewel
As I go throughout the day I am learning to be more conscience on how I deal with my husband's habits and allow God's peace to engulf me so that I don't get aggravated, but pray more for him to be considerate and to also be conscience of the things he does like not flushing the toilet , not putting his dish in the sink, or fulfilling a task that was requested of him. God is good. Only He can change me and change my husband, so I will rest in that assurance.
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