Author Nicole Mar
Practical Tips to Respond to Being God’s Beloved 1. Remember that God loves you and wants to satisfy the deepest needs of your heart. The Bible says in Isaiah 26:9, "My soul yearns for you in the night, in the morning my spirit longs for you.” God loves us in both practical and extravagant ways. He loves us spiritually and emotionally. He does gratify both our natural and spiritual needs if we seek him. I ask God for both spiritual and natural gifts of love my husband will not or finds himself unable to give me. I don’t always need the natural gifts I ask of my Heavenly Bridegroom. Sometimes I just these gifts to feel his extravagant love, and God, my loving and doting Heavenly Bridegroom, has many times decided that I would have them. Let's glory in the fact that we are the Bride of Christ, and God has a good plan for us. He is there for us. We are not alone.
Questions to Consider Do you have a testimony of a time that God was there for you in a beautiful and a miraculous way? Do you keep your focus on what you have lost or what you have? Can you lean into God's love and unconditional acceptance of you?
2. Focus on self-care to heal your heart. 1 Kings 19:7 says, ";Get up and eat, or your journey will be too much for you." This passage is when Elijah had been in the desert prophesying doom over the evil people worshipping Baal. He was rejected and felt lonely, depressed, and in despair. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and admonished him to take care of himself. He told him to eat to prepare for his journey. This was very practical advice. We also find that in the New Testament, Jesus would provide nourishing food after people had followed him around for a few days listening to him and seeking healing. Also, he would encourage his disciples to steal away on a boat after they'd spent a lot of time with those in need to rest and replenish themselves. God makes it clear that we need to take good care of our natural bodies. When you are in a life situation in which you feel you have ongoing relationship trauma, self-care is essential. There are so many ways to care for yourself. You can:
Spend time meditating. On Scripture, on od's love on connecting with and to God in a relational way.
Eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and avoid drugs and alcohol.
Wear clothes and adornments that are comfortable and make you feel good about yourself.
Prioritize time with friends and family who are kindred spirits, and avoid toxic people who hurt your heart. Seek out community; do not isolate.
Try to do something you enjoy every day: playing with your children, painting, gardening, listening to music and worshipping, driving, journaling, watching funny shows, reading, etc.
Practice saying no to people and activities that do not bring you joy.
Question to Consider What can you add to your routine to practice self-care? What can you daily? weekly? quarterly?
3. Focus on loving others rather than feeling unloved. Proverbs 11:25 says, "..he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." There are so many needs in the world and so many organizations that need support. If you don't have a full home of people to care for, you might find a lot of joy in volunteering with organizations you care about.
Question to Consider
What are you doing in the way of volunteering or giving to refresh others? How does
does this activity make you feel? Do not get over busy to distract yourself from pain but where can your gifts and talents be used to bless others?
God wastes nothing. We have gifts and talents and desires God placed in us because He truly loves us. When you feel unseen, unwanted, not valued, lonely or rejected in your marriage, God is El Roi He sees you and knows you like no other and created you for a purpose that far exceeds your role in marriage. He sees and loves you,
References:
Mangun, Vesta. (2019) Seek First the Kingdom. Capital Community Church. Retrieved
from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ItyhC2yfbM
Moore, Beth. (2016) Entrusted — Bible Study Book: A Study of 2 Timothy.
Tanksley, Carol. (2015) “What The Bible Says To A Woman Who Feels Unloved By Her
Husband.” Dr. Carol Ministries. Retrieved from:
https://www.drcarolministries.com/what-the-bible-says-to-a-woman-who-feels-
unloved-by-her-husband/