Consider

As always, God must really be trying to get a concept through to me because it has shown itself in different ways over the past few days.

It started with a conversation I was having with a friend. This friend complains about her husband a lot, and tells me how her husband negatively treats her. I have often thought that there was much these two could do differently to make their marriage better, but instead have just been a listening ear. I try to drop subtle suggestions here and there. But it's obvious that the two of them are stubborn and really don't intend to change.

The thought that came to my mind the other day, after talking with her was ... those two are not considerate of each other. They really don't even try to be. I wondered when was the last time that either of them did something for the other just to make him or her happy?

I started thinking about how in order to be considerate of someone (or to CONSIDER him before you consider yourself), you have to humble yourself and sometimes give up one (or more) of your own rights or preferences.

I started calling to mind the scripture of considering others to be better than yourself ....

Then yesterday morning I was listening to an Andy Stanley podcast while I was on my morning run, instead of my usual Joyce Meyer. His sermon topic was Staying in Love. And what was the scriptural basis of his sermon? Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ~ Philippians 2:3.

Now, I stop to turn this back on myself. In the context of my marriage, am I considerate to Rick? Do I always consider him before I consider my own needs and wants? Do I value my needs and wants over his? I think that the two of us are fairly good at trying to be considerate to each other, especially in our words. But I definitely have room for improvement!

Just something to give me pause.

How about you?