Today I’m continuing with more tips about dealing with an unbelieving spouse when you are a believer.Instead of preaching at them, a better way is given in 1 Peter 3:1-4. Don’t talk about what you believe, but instead show it by the way you live. Let your love and actions speak to them and trust God to be at work changing their heart and attitudes.
Remember God wants what is best for you and your spouse. Remember too, that it is God’s work to change your spouse’s attitude and heart, not yours. Hard as it may be to accept, remember God’s time frame may not be yours. We always want to see the changes instantly. God has far more patience than we do.
If you don’t see any changes in the spouse or softening of their heart towards God, don’t allow guilt to get the better of you. Remember, it’s not up to you to convert them, but God. That’s His job. So if it doesn’t happen don’t beat yourself up with guilt.
Persevere in prayer. It may take years before they come to see the truth. One wife I knowed prayed for her husband for 30 years with no result. But later he saw the love and support of those who helped him when she was sick and who came to her funeral and helped him though a tough time. He became a Christian. Now they are together in eternity.
Another mother I know prayed for her son for 26 years before he became a Christian but then afterwards he went into the ministry and has since been instrumental in helping many people come to the Lord through his life and words. We never know what plan God has in mind because we only see the little picture. All any of us can do is pray and live our lives in obedience to God and let God do His work in others.
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