Trusting Enough?

Most of us know the story of Balaam and the talking donkey in Numbers 22:1-35, but have you ever applied that story to your marriage?

Many years ago, there was a turning point in my marriage. I realized I had to make some changes or be miserable and make my husband miserable for the rest of our lives. We were existing on commitment alone—the love had long since evaporated. One of the things I chose to change (the key word there is CHOSE) was my level of trust. Sure, I trusted my husband in many things—superficial things, but not the really important ones. The important things I simply took into my own hands...and invariably messed them up.

But I'm talking about far more than trusting a man, my husband.
I'm talking about trusting God.

Trusting GOD to be able to work and move in my life through my husband, regardless of where I think his spiritual walk is at that moment.

At times, when I'm reeeeeally upset with my man, I'll remind myself that God spoke through a donkey, so He can certainly work through my husband. It may sound awful, but remembering that has helped me trust and rest not only in my husband's leadership of our family, but ultimately it's helped me trust God more.

I also remember Solomons' words.

The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. ~Proverbs 21:1 NAS

How does this translate into my life?
~When I have a choice or a decision to make about something that is truly up to me, I seek my husband's input and advice. He knows me better than anyone else and often knows me better than I know myself. But before I do this, I spend time in prayer specifically asking God to direct me through my husband. After that I talk over the decision with my hubby. He doesn't make the choice or decision for me, but he does give me input. Often, when I have followed his advice, things work out much better than I anticipated.

Many times, when I bring a choice or a decision to my husband, he'll see other options I didn't see, or offer just a tweak to my thoughts that makes a big difference in the results. I'll still make the decision, but because I specifically asked God to lead me through my husband, I can rest easier, and trust God, and make better decisions.

~Allow my husband to make the decisions that are his to make. I don't second guess him or give him the silent treatment. Now, I have to admit that I really struggle with not giving him the silent treatment at times but when I do, I know that I'm in the wrong and need to change.

By allowing him to make the decisions that are his to make, and praying for him as he makes those decisions, I'm trusting God to work in my husband's heart.

And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. ~Ezra 6:22 NAS

Israel was in captivity. They were bearing the consequences of multiplied sin and yet God turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them and they were allowed to rebuild the house of God. Assyria was not Israel's buddy, let alone their partner, and look what God did for them through that king. If God can work through pagan kings (and He did and He can!) then He can easily work through husbands that love us—whether our husbands are saved or not.

Choosing to trust God to direct us, and our families, through our husbands isn't always easy, but in the long run, it's the best way. It's God's way. And even when we don't completely trust our husbands, we can completely trust God, and God can turn our husband's hearts in His hands, as if they were water.

It comes down to trust.
Do you trust God enough?

This is linked up for Ann's series on Holy Matrimony. I encourage you to check out her blog and be blessed by her and the others who are participating.