Chapter Seven: Troubles at home

Home of hearts

Marriage brings with it some of the deepest joys you'll ever know, but also some of the greatest challenges. You're building a home of hearts, and if it's going to last it must be built on a solid foundation, beam upon beam, brick upon brick. It's hard work getting everything to fit together properly. After all, no matter how much you love each other, you are two different people and are bound to have some different likes, dislikes, views, and opinions. 

It takes a great deal of communication, love, understanding, wisdom, and prayer to build a successful marriage. There will be difficulties and setbacks, but don't let them halt your construction project. The results will be well worth the effort, tears, and troubles you experience along the way. In fact, it is those very troubles that will help you grow closer if you approach them positively, believing that I am able to see you through them. The low points aren't meant to diminish your love, but to bring you even closer. Each time you overcome an obstacle with love and prayer, you strengthen your home of hearts.

Marriage is give and take, joy and tears, talking and listening, forgiving and asking forgiveness, experiencing good times and not-so-good times. It's remembering the good and choosing to forget the bad.

Parenting through prayer

It's not easy raising children in today's world. Many of the godly values that you want to encourage in your children are constantly being attacked by others who are going the opposite direction. You worry that even your best efforts will fail and that your children will turn their backs on the values you hold dear. I know you're sometimes tempted to give up, but don't. Your concern and care are not in vain.

There's only so much that you can do, even though you try your best. But I'm capable of doing much more than you ever could, and I am here to help. I also understand your children even better than you do, and I know how to best handle their problems. I want to work with you to shape your children into the godly people we both want them to become.

Commit your children to Me in prayer. Through prayer you can be the better parent you want to be. Through prayer you can help protect your children from harm and unwholesome influences. Through prayer you can find My solutions to their problems. Through your prayers I can do what you can't do.

Set aside time each day to pray for your children. Each time you're faced with a troublesome issue, ask Me for the answer. Start today to be a better parent through prayer. Changes that you haven't thought possible will come to pass through the power of prayer.

Breaking the bands of addiction

Having a loved one who is caught in the trap of substance abuse can be one of the most heartbreaking and trying experiences, not only because it's so harmful and dangerous, but also because it's an ongoing problem. It tears you apart to watch someone you love so dearly destroying himself. You've tried to talk sense into him, you've tried to give advice, you've tried to understand what brought this on, you've tried to be patient, and you've tried to be firm. Still, it seems that nothing has helped. That's because, as badly as you want to, you can't solve the problem. Ultimately that's up to him. If he's willing to change, I can break the bands of addiction and heal his body, mind, and spirit, but even I can't override his decisions.

I can, however, work in his heart and mind to help him start making better decisions that will lead to recovery, and this is where you come in. You can help Me work more effectively by praying for him. Until his will is pulling in the right direction, you have to do some of the pulling for him through prayer. Until he is ready to ask for My help himself, you have to ask for My help.

Prayer can work wonders in even the most "impossible" cases, so keep on praying. It may take time, but one day you will see the evidence of My hand at work and your prayers for your dear one being answered. Where there is life, there is hope!

Harmful relationships

Sometimes it's best to ride out domestic problems; sometimes it's best to distance yourself from them for a time; sometimes it's best to get help from a friend, relative, or professional; and sometimes it's best to move on. It's often humanly impossible to reason these things out or know which way to go because there are so many factors and emotions involved, but if you ask Me, I will show you what's best. I will also give you the strength to do what I show you is best.

Love, humility, prayer, and forgiveness can overcome any problem, but it takes two. If you have done your part but the abusive relationship continues, then it's time to get out. You should be loving and patient and forgiving, but you must not continue to put yourself in danger.

If I show you that it is best to make a break with the past and start anew, I will also give you the courage to see it through. I can set you on a new course where you will be happy and safe. I can even send a new romantic love your way—one who will be gentle and caring and help you overcome the hurts of the past.

So if you find yourself caught in a tangled web of emotions, if you are being hurt yet can't pull yourself free, ask Me to help you and I will. I have your best interests at heart and will provide the very best for you.

If you've been hurt

Come into My arms now. These arms will never harm you. These arms will never hurt you. These arms are here to protect you. These arms are strong to guard, yet gentle to soothe and heal. These arms will keep on loving you no matter what. I'm sorry you've been treated badly, and I want to heal your hurts. I want to give you the loving care you desire and deserve.

My love is always there for you. As you come to Me and let Me be your true Love, I will take care of you. You will never be disappointed in Me. I will provide the comfort and love you need as you draw closer through prayer, reading My Word, and listening to My whispers of love and reassurance in your heart. Come and find peace and your heart's desires in Me.

I love you, My sweet one, and never want to see you hurt. Earthly loves may fail you, but My love never fails. Come into My arms now. There you will find the love and understanding you have longed for.

Time heals all things—even a broken heart. The hurt and anger you feel now will fade with time, but it will be much quicker and easier to bear if you ask Me to help you. It may still take longer than you'd like, but slow healing is often the best kind.

At the same time, you must do your part. Don't hang onto the past. Don't refuse to be healed. Let go of the anger and bitterness. Let it all go. As difficult as it may be, you must accept what has happened and forgive. Only then will you be able to close the door on the past, find relief from the painful memories, and get on with life.

At times like this when your whole world seems to be falling apart, when things so dear to you have been taken away, you may wonder if I still love and care for you. The answer to that is simple—yes! More than ever I want to show you just how much I love you! Your life is emptier now, but I'm wanting and waiting to fill that void with My love. So go ahead—go through and close the door on the past. I'm on the other side of the door and have a lot of love and other good things in store for you.