Navigating Seasons of Uncertainty As a Couple

How do we navigate seasons of uncertainty as a couple?

How do we stay connected and hopeful, when the world around us is in turmoil?

(Note: this blog post is addressing challenges coming outside of the relationship, not a storm brewing within.)

Sometimes it’s hard to fight for one another when we are feeling stressed and anxious.

However, as people of faith, we can rest in the assurance that our God is in control, even when life feels out of control.

I’ve been thinking about the lessons I am taking away from this season, and I want to share them with you today.

At the end of the post, I have a prayer that you can pray over your marriage, your family and our world.

How to work through uncertainty as a couple – 4 reminders and a prayer

I am being reminded

1. To be thankful for my marriage

It’s a blessing to have someone in your corner.

Typically, my husband is the slower, methodical part of our marriage. I tend to be fast and optimistic.

Suffice it to say; we are looking at this season differently: He wants to gather all the facts and listen to all the details so he can prepare well and make sense of things.

I, on the other hand, find such collections and details wearisome. I just want the bare-minimum to come up with a plan. Too many details wear me down.

So the other day, after wrestling through some of his fact-finding (which involves watching the news), I realized there was an actual gift in our different wiring.

It’s because we see life differently that we are better together. We bring various strengths to the table and thus have advantages we wouldn’t otherwise have if we were flying solo.

Maybe you are spending more time with your husband than you are used to. Or perhaps you are feeling the push and pull of being two different people, working through uncertain times.

I want to encourage you to look at the God-side of things. If you can’t find it, I dare you to ask God to help you. Ask Him to help you see the bright side of having a mate by your side as you navigate this season of uncertainty as a couple.

2. Family is all we have

(I understand not everyone has a safe place; that your marriage or your family might not be the safest place to be right now. Domestic violence has spiked. If you or your children are unsafe, please seek help because it’s still there. Call the hotlines, or authorities, or a pastor, a reliable friend and get the help you need. Canada: 800.799.SAFE (7233) United States: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) United Kingdom: 08 08 16 89 111 Australia: 1800 015 188 New Zealand: 0800 456 450 Kenya: 0-800-720-072 Nigeria: 0800 033 3333 South Africa: 0800 428 428)

All around the world, people are either on lock-down (complete or partial) or maintaining social distance.

We are down to the most important people in our lives: Family. When life as we know it “ended,” we are left with those who matter the most.

Yet in the busyness of life, it’s our spouse and family who pay the highest price. We think they’ll always be there and can wait for us to get back from our busy careers or businesses or hobbies.

But seasons like these remind us who should be most prioritized.

When the shops open and work is unrestricted and we can jump on planes and life goes back to normal, let us remember to treasure the people who matter the most. Our spouse. Our children. Our family.

3. We are more similar than we are different

The whole world is going through the same thing: harder economic times, anxieties and the social blowback of the virus. Gone are the days when we thought we were insulated from other nations, cultures and people far from us.

In the end, we are more connected than we think.

The burdens and cares of other nations ought to be closer and dearer to our hearts than they have been.

I am praying that God will change our hearts, and we will grow to love others, who are different from us. That we will begin to care a little more and judge a little less. That we’ll be more curious, more accepting.

In the end, we are children of One Creator: He loves us all and wants a relationship with every single one of us.

4. We can navigate seasons of uncertainty as a couple by fighting for joy

I was doing okay, faith-wise, until my business began to feel the pinch. As more warnings and directives went out, I felt increasingly anxious.

The has Lord reminded me to find His joy.

“Finding” implies intentional rest, on my side. Joy, in difficulties, is not something you’ll find lying around, ready for easy picking.

Certainly, godly joy is not something we manufacture by sheer willpower. Rather it is a result of resting in God. Finding confidence in who He is.

And that’s where the battle is because circumstances can scream so loud that they drown our ability to rest in God.

The “work” of joy lies is learning to dig deeper in God so we can align our perspective to His.

I love reading the book of Psalms, which is a collection of prayers and praises written by different authors.

One of my favorite Psalms was written by David. I read Psalms 145 as a prayer and praise to God. It reminds me who God is, who He has always been, and who He will always be.

Here’s a portion of Psalm 145 (verse 9 – verse 21) NLT

The Lord is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.

All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
they will give examples of your power.

They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign.

For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.

The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.

The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

The eyes of all look to you in hope;
you give them their food as they need it.

When you open your hand,
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.

The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth.

He grants the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cries for help and rescues them.

The Lord protects all those who love him,
but he destroys the wicked.

I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name
forever and ever.

Praying the Word of God shifts my perspective.

It reminds me that God is not surprised by what surprises me.

Joy keeps us anchored when our emotions are drowning, and our mind is coming up with worst-case scenarios.

Friend, you cannot afford not to have joy in this season.

And it is yours to find. Here are the exact steps to renew your mind plus 25 Bible for when you are discouraged.

Finally, here is a prayer for navigating this period of uncertainty as a couple

Father, in Jesus’ name, we thank you for the gift of life. We are thankful that trouble is not a surprise to you – you know everything ahead of time. Even in this present hardships, you have made provision.

I pray for our marriages – for unity and oneness as we navigate this season of uncertainty as a couple. I pray we’ll connect as wives and husbands. That we’ll find meaning and rest in our time together. I pray we’ll see the value and power of unity. Help us to see the areas we need to grow and the things we need to put in place so our marriages can thrive.

I pray for our families, their health, and their protection. May this season reminds us what is most important – that when we are stripped of everything, we have a few people around us who care. I pray for those who feel alone in this season that you will comfort them. May they feel your presence and your joy.

I pray for those who are struggling in their health right now, we ask for healing. We speak healing over their bodies and minds and hearts. Let them feel your love and nearness.

We pray for wisdom for our doctors,  researchers and everyone involved in finding a vaccine for this virus. Father, you are the source of wisdom and knowledge. Grant them insights and understanding. Give them the practical facilitation they need.

I pray for protection for our nurses and doctors, police officers, and all individuals serving on the front-lines – we ask for cover and divine protection. We pray they will feel refreshed and sense your presence.

We pray for our world. As everyone is looking for stability and assurance, may they find it in you, Lord. You are our security, our strength and our hope. Stir the memories and hearts of those who are far from you. Help believers to take advantage of opportunities to share your love and kindness with the world around them.

We pray this in Jesus name, amen.

Let me know how you are doing in your corner of the world? How are you navigating this season of uncertainty as couple? What lessons are you learning? Let’s discuss in comments

~

Scripture from  Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.