The anger was destructive, and the argument heart wrenching. I sat on my bed with a suitcase next to me. I wanted to pack. Tears streamed my eyes. It was one of the darkest days of my marriage, but I don’t even remember what our fight was about. I just remember putting away the suitcase and never actually packing my bags.
Nothing was worth breaking my vows over. God had finally given me the man of my dreams. The man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and I was about to throw it away over a momentary situation. Life was wonderful, and I was so happy because God had finally given me a home and love. I had come through an abusive marriage where I was physically attacked and feared for my life. My husband, now, has a such a kind and gentle heart full of love for me. God brought us together, and my vows are for life!
I did not make the mistake that Juana Mikels, author of Choosing Him All Over Again, did when as a young bride she fled her marriage. Her husband neglected her, and as a result, her marriage life was sad and lonely. Angrily, she packed and left. Unsaved at the time, her reaction to the problems in her marriage was a worldly response. When life gets tough in marriage, move on. Mr. Right is out there for you somewhere. But as she learned and wrote, this is Satan’s trap. There is “No Mr. Right,” and that “Our only soul mate in life is Jesus Christ.”
The only good that came out of Juana’s decision to leave is that in her heartbreak, she sought out answers for her life and ended up finding Christ. As a result of her new Christian life, she quickly realized that she had sinned in leaving her husband because God hates divorce. She spent two years trying to reconcile with him even though he had already began seeing a new woman.
Instead of giving up, however, Juana Mikels began praying in earnest that her marrriage be restored. When she realized that God might have other plans, she accepted His call to begin praying sacrificially. Her prayer change from, “Lord please save my marriage” to “Lord, please let my husband discover you and find salvation even if it means my marriage is over.”
God heard her prayer, restored her marriage and her husband accepted Christ as His Lord and Savior. She tells the whole story in her beautiful narrative of a book. She blends the narrative with heart felt marital advice backed up by Biblical references.
As I read this book, my own heart was checked. I found myself confessing my own failures in my marriage. I identified with her when she spoke of her impatience, her own selfishness, and argumentative spirit. These are the same problem with which I battle! She gives sound advice though. Wives need to submit to their husbands out of love and because when we loose ourselves in marriage, we gain so many blessings in return. We learn how to draw closer to God because we are obeying Him and doing His will.
The world may cry foul at the idea of women being submissive to a man. As she wrote, the world equates submitting with inferiority. This is Satan’s lie. It takes bravery, love, and humility to submit to someone in love. It takes supreme character when we die to self.
These statements are so easy to type, but so hard to act upon, but Juana packs some practical tips in her book as well. Loving your husband means doing little things to bring him joy. It means listening to him and communicating daily. It means putting aside your petty disagreements with him.
I know the Bible has important ideals for husbands too live up to as well; such as loving your wife like Jesus loves the church, but this book is written for wives.
My favorite scriptural quotes are in the beginning of the book: James 1:2-4.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
This verse was shared by her mentor, Elisabeth Elliott, in the forward of the book. Then on the next page, Juana shared Ephesians 2:10:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
God prepared us to be wives and to love our husbands. Jesus ordained every good deed that we do for them: from cleaning our homes in love to being intimate and loving. I don’t about you, but that very idea brings tears to my eyes. I can’t recommend this book enough to my readers. This book is packed with many nuggets of wisdom, moments when you will find yourself crying, and love. You will want to keep a notepad next to you as you read. I know now that I have finished this book, I will want to go back and take more notes and delve into the scripture references that are included. This book is one you will want to add to your toolkit to help strengthen your marriage.
[tweetthis]#JuanaMikels #ChoosingHim: book you’ll want to add to your toolkit to create loving marriage! [/tweetthis]
This post is part of the Choosing Him Blog Tour which I am delighted to be a part of along with nearly one hundred other inspiring Christian bloggers. To learn more and join us, CLICK HERE! For this tour, I was provided with a free copy of the book. My review, however, is my honest opinion.
Book Details
Contributing to these hops:
–
what a great review! I am going to add this book to my must reads for sure! thanks for sharing this with us at Totally Terrific Tuesday! Cant wait to see what you bring this week 🙂
Jess
jessica recently posted…Totally Terrific Tuesday Link Party #19
This is such a beautiful story! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
Tina
Tina at Mommynificent recently posted…Books for Little Boys and Booknificent Thursday Link Up Party #82
Divorce is so hard. My first husband left me and our three children because of a drug adddiction. I filed for divorce and met a man who became my husband and adopted my children. God hates divorce but he will heal the pain and redeem the broken hearts. Thank you for sharing this book and for linking up at Simply Inspired Wednesdays!
Sarah Knepper recently posted…Our Grace {Full} Table: Simply Inspired Link-Up
Thank you Sarah. I am so glad God provided you and your family witha wonderful husband and father. God does deliver and heal.
This was really, really good. I especially appreciate your transparency at the beginning. I think we have all had those teary moments sitting on the side of the bed. It’s what we do from there that makes all the difference in the world. Thank you for putting the time you did into this post. I’m pinning it now!
Arabah recently posted…Praying Scripture: O is for Obedience
Thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate you. 😉
Ann, thanks for the support. I loved your personal story too.
Mary Hill recently posted…Welcome Back! Weekend Wind-Down Party, 56
Marriage isn’t all smiles and romance, that’s for sure!! But it can be a blessing, when Christ it in the center. My heart goes out to all the women (and men) who have struggled through and eventually ended bad marriages. My own hubby was in one that eventually ended, before we met. I feel very blessed to not have had to experience the heartache that a bad entails. The stories I’ve heard are enough to bring me to tears. So thankful that God can heal ANY marriage! I’ve not read Juana’s book, but it sounds amazing!!
Ann recently posted…Celebrating 28 Years – Remembering