MEDITATION - What Comes Out When You’re Squeezed?

Getting God’s Word into your heart before the pressure comes

This past week reminded me why the Meditation pillar of Pamper Your Marriage is so important. I had a lot going on in my mind, and although Bill was reading the Word to me, if I’m being truthful, I kept falling asleep. 😂 I wasn’t intentionally spending the time I normally would getting into God’s Word for myself and really meditating on what He was saying to me. Then Friday came.

I became frustrated over a situation with someone, and my response was...well, let’s just say it was less than spiritual. 😂 Afterward, I began thinking about my reaction and asking myself what was going on inside of me. The Lord began showing me something. What came out of me in that moment wasn’t created in that moment. The pressure simply revealed what I had - and what I had not - been filling myself with.

What Are We Filling Our Minds With?

We can have a lot going on in our heads. Responsibilities, work, family situations, ministry, finances, schedules, things people said, things we wish they hadn't said, and conversations we keep replaying. Before we know it, our minds can become so crowded that God's Word gets pushed somewhere into the background.

That's why meditation is more than simply reading a Bible verse. Psalm 1 describes the person whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on His law day and night as being like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in season. There is something powerful about that picture. The tree doesn't suddenly try to grow roots when the heat comes. It was already planted. That is what I want God's Word to do in me.

I don't want to wait until I'm frustrated to try to remember how Jesus would respond. I want His Word planted deeply enough in my heart that when frustration comes, His truth is already there.

Meditation Changes More Than Our Thoughts

This matters tremendously in marriage because the people closest to us often experience what spills out of us. When our minds are filled with anxiety, irritation, offense, comparison, fear, or resentment, eventually some of that is going to make its way into our words, our attitudes, and our reactions. Sometimes our spouse may receive the overflow of something they didn't even cause.

But God's Word gives the Holy Spirit something different to bring to our remembrance.

Maybe instead of immediately reacting, I remember to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Maybe instead of keeping a record of what Bill did wrong, I remember that love keeps no record of wrongs. Maybe instead of assuming the worst, I remember that love always hopes. Maybe instead of allowing frustration to control my mouth, I remember that a gentle answer turns away wrath.

That's why our Pamper Your Marriage Daily Workbook doesn't simply tell couples to read Scripture. One of its daily practices is “Memorize and Meditate.” The journal explains that Scripture is provided each day to meditate on and encourages memorizing it so that it remains hidden in our hearts. The purpose is to get God's Word into our spirit and allow it to change how we understand and respond to one another. I'm realizing again that I need that just as much today as when we wrote it.

HOW DOES THE LORD PAMPER THE CHURCH THROUGH MEDITATION?

The Lord pampers His Bride by giving us His Word. He doesn't leave us trying to navigate our emotions, relationships, conflicts, and decisions based solely on how we feel in the moment. He gives us truth to come back to again and again.

His Word corrects us when our thinking gets off course. It comforts us when we're hurting. It reminds us who we are when our emotions tell us something different. It gives us wisdom when we don't know how to respond. And through the Holy Spirit, He brings His truth back to our remembrance when we need it. What an incredible way for the Bridegroom to care for His Bride. He gives us something solid to stand on before the pressure ever comes.

This Week's PAMPER Challenge

Choose one Scripture this week that speaks to an area where you know you need God's help - especially in the way you respond to your spouse or other people. Don't just read it once and move on. Write it somewhere you will see it. Read it in the morning. Think about it throughout the day. Talk about it with your spouse. Ask the Lord what it looks like to actually live it.

And when something frustrates you, pause before reacting and ask yourself:

What does the Word that I've been meditating on tell me to do right now?

Friday reminded me that I don't want to wait until I'm squeezed to discover what is inside of me. I want to be filling my heart with God's Word continually so that when life applies pressure, more of Him comes out of me.

M - Meditate.

Don't just read the Word.

Let the Word get into you.

Remember: Your marriage does not need to be perfect, it just needs to be pampered.

If you'd like to go deeper into the seven biblical pillars that have strengthened our marriage, Pamper Your Marriage is available on our website. For a limited time, the book is only $15, and the companion workbook is $10. Whether you're married, dating, single, or investing in other relationships, these biblical principles can help you build stronger, healthier connections centered on Christ.

📖 Pamper Your Marriage is available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon, and our website🌐Learn more at www.PamperYourMarriage.org