Since Easter is fast approaching, I think it’s quite appropriate to talk about how God’s word can resurrect your love in a wounded and messy marriage.

I’m continuing my series, “Slow, Know and Grow” by sharing my Bible study method, WORTHY with all of you. But also know that any Bible study method or reading can bring God’s healing to your marriage and life. For you see . . .

[bctt tweet=”The most important part of knowing the Bible is studying it consistently! #JustDoIt #encouragement” username=”BethSteffaniak”]

You can’t expect God to bring healing if you’re only willing to apply the “balm of His word” (Jeremiah 8:22) to your life and marriage every once in a while. Just sayin’! 😉

My method of Bible study uses the acrostic W.O.R.T.H.Y.

Part of what makes this method a bit unique is that it stresses finding an application that you can take with you and utilize during your follow up prayer time and as you go about your day.

[bctt tweet=”We need to get God’s word into us, so that God can also work it out in and through our lives! #ChristianLiving #Easter2020″ username=”BethSteffaniak”]

W – stands for: “Welcome the Lord”
I always want to come to my Scripture reading time by welcoming the Lord and acknowledging His presence, as well as asking for His insight regarding what I’m about to read.

O – stands for: “Observe what it says”
Next, I read the text aloud at least one time, sometimes two times. Then I begin to write out what I observe that it’s saying. Sometimes I write exactly what it says and other times, I put it into my own words—without straying too far.

This process takes a lot of observation because, if we read instead of writing it out, it’s so easy to skim over details that are vitally important to understand. Plus it’s just another way to reinforce the truths in our minds.

R – stands for: “Recognize what is noteworthy and true”
At this point, you’re recognizing—word-by-word and verse-by-verse—what you notice and what is true. If you don’t know that something is true, do some extra research if you have the time.

You can write this section out in paragraph-style or as a simple list. Either way, you are gleaning the truths of the passage you’re studying.

T – stands for: “Take a thought”
This is where the rubber meets the road by discovering how you’ll apply these truths. I try to look for and write out a couple of applications and then choose from one of those as my focus for the day.

I like to write my thought on my wrist, as well as on a chalkboard in my bedroom for two visual reminders.

H – stands for: “Help”
First of all, I pray about my Bible reading following my studies and process out what it is that I need God’s help with. God is always so good to reveal His help at those prayerful moments.

Later in my day, whenever a challenge comes my way, I might whisper a simple prayer like, “Help me, Father!”  I also refer back to the thought I’ve “taken” with me in an effort to remind myself of God’s help through the truth of His word.

Y – stands for: “Yield”
I do the same thing here that I do with God’s help (see above). I refer back to my “thought to take”—praying that God would soften my heart to yield to His truths in my prayer time and especially in the heat of the moment of my day. Gary, my hubby, often gets the benefit of those “yielding” moments too! If you know what I mean! 😉

Bottom line: What I’m ultimately doing is . . . letting God change my heart so that I can respond in godly and humble ways in my marriage.

I cannot underscore enough how studying and applying God’s word has radically changed the atmosphere in my marriage.

I’ve also learned how to rely on God’s help when I don’t want to love my husband (yes, truthfully, there are those times!).

And as I’ve “worked out my salvation” (Philippians 2:12) through applying God’s word, I’ve gained a softer heart. I see my faults and sins so much more clearly and can refocus my gaze on the Lord instead of on my struggles so much better now than I ever did before.

Next week I’ll be sharing how to know God and His handiwork through the power of praise and gratitude. This practice reinforces and amplifies the healing impact of God’s word on your marriage.

You can see this study method in action by joining my private Facebook group studying 1 Peter (already in progress since April 3, 2017). Don’t worry about being behind the others, since you can download the PDF’s and go at your own pace. Click here for a sample of my 1 Peter study. Contact me at messymarriage@gmail.com, if you’d like to be added to this group.

What specific truth from God’s word has helped strengthen you in your marriage recently?

What specific truth from God’s word has convicted you regarding your part in your marriage struggles recently?

Here are some lovely linkups I join – Christian Blogger Community, Mondays @ Soul Survival, Testimony Tuesday, Writer Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Coffee for Your Heart, Faith and Friends, Sitting Among Friends, Moments of Hope, Literary Musing Mondays, Fresh Market Friday, and DanceWithJesusFriday

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