FamilyTalk

Couples Devotions

In "Love and Marriage" month here at Family Talk we are pleased to feature special daily devotions, excerpted from Dr. James Dobson's best-selling book, Night Light for Couples. These devotions offer personal, practical, and biblical insights that have sustained Dr. James and Shirley Dobson's marriage for more than fifty years and have encouraged couples and families around the world. We hope they inspire you!

Monday - February 20, 2012

Attitude Control

Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:5

One morning, the late Bishop Fulton Sheen entered a greasy spoon for breakfast. "Bring me some ham and eggs and a few kind words for the day," he said.

The waitress returned fifteen minutes later and set the food before him. "There," she said. "What about the kind words?" he asked. She looked him over and replied, "I'd advise you not to eat them eggs!" Sometimes the first few events of the day make it clear it's going to be a "downer." No matter what you do, you can't stop life's bad turns: the car that rear‐ends yours on the way to work; the traffic jam that causes you to miss an important appointment. Yet you can choose your reaction to such irritating events.

We can live happily despite the ups and downs of everyday living, but to do so takes a great measure of dependence on Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul said it best: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:12–13).

Just between us . . .

• Am I generally cheerful and optimistic—or gloomy and pessimistic?
• How do I usually react when I'm disappointed or discouraged?
• How do my mood swings affect you and our marriage? How can we respond more positively to difficult events?

Today's Prayer

Dear Father, we invite You to be at work in us—individually and in our relationship—to grow in us the same attitude as Jesus Christ. We don't want to be ruled by circumstances or moods but by Your Spirit. Amen.

Night Light: A Devotional for Couples
Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Back to Top

Tuesday - February 21, 2012

Charlie Wedemeyer

Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Life was good for Charlie Wedemeyer. He was married to a beautiful woman, Lucy, had two wonderful children, and was a successful high school teacher and football coach. When he noticed a weakness in his hands, however, he visited a doctor. The doctor told him he had ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), that in a few years he would be totally paralyzed, and that eventually he would die. Charlie's disease worsened in the years that followed.

Time appeared to be running out. Then two things changed his life—he began using a portable respirator, and he became a Christian.

Today, more than twenty years after being diagnosed, Charlie and Lucy have touched thousands of lives during their appearances across the country. He cannot walk, speak, or even breathe on his own, but he chooses not to dwell on his infirmities.

"Pain and suffering are inescapable," Charlie says through Lucy's translation. "It's up to us to decide if we're going to be miserable or if we're going to try to make the most of our lives."

Charlie Wedemeyer is making the most of his. How about you?

Just between us . . .

• How would either of us respond if we faced a situation like Charlie's?
• So far in life, how much have we been asked to suffer?
• Who in the Bible suffered from disease or disability yet demonstrated trust in God? (For examples, see 2 Kings 5:1–14; 20:1–6; Matthew 9:27–29; Mark 5:25–29; 10:48–52; and 2 Corinthians 12:7–10.)

Today's Prayer

Father, thank You for promising to be with us when we suffer. Help us not to complain too much about life's little hurts, and help us to place our big sorrows in Your tender care. Amen.

Night Light: A Devotional for Couples
Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Back to Top

Wednesday - February 22, 2012

The Trouble Paradox

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

When troubles line up in what seems like an endless parade, feelings of despair or helplessness can be overwhelming. One way out of this downward spiral toward depression is to reach out to someone else. Our own difficulties seem less threatening and all‐consuming when we are busy helping someone else handle theirs. The possibilities for helping others are limitless. Visit the sick. Bake something for your neighbors. Do household chores for an elderly shut‐in. Use your car for those without transportation. And, perhaps most important, be a good listener. Sometimes what a person needs most of all is simply a friend who will share his or her life for a few moments.

This is one of the powerful paradoxes of the Christian life: When we share someone else's pain, we often shed some of our own. When we help others, we end up helping ourselves. When we lift another's burdens, ours lighten.

Just between us . . .

• What do you do when you're discouraged or depressed?
• Am I helpful to you when you're feeling down?
• In what ways did Jesus minister to the downhearted? Is there someone in a difficult situation who could use our help?

Today's Prayer

Dear God, thank You for Your goodness during trouble. Increasingly, make us Your instruments to help others in need. Help us to share Your comfort and testify to Your great faithfulness. Thank You that we'll be blessed in doing so. Amen.

Night Light: A Devotional for Couples
Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Back to Top

Thursday – February 23, 2012

Leaving "Victim" Behind

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example. 1 Peter 2:21

Politically correct notions in the culture today would lead us to believe that we all have reasons to be angry about the biases arrayed against us. The supposed discrimination extends to girls, boys, the elderly, homosexuals, drug addicts, alcoholics, atheists, those who are overweight, balding, short, undereducated, women (rep‐ resenting 51.2 percent of the population), and now, white men. There's hardly a person alive who doesn't have a claim against an oppressor in one context or another. I (JCD) call it "the victimization of everyone."

Unquestionably, there are disadvantaged people among us who need legal protection and special consideration, including some racial minorities. But the idea that the majority is exploited and disrespected is terribly destructive—first, because the belief that "they're out to get me" paralyzes us and leads to hopelessness and despair; second, because it divides people into separate and competing self‐interest groups and pits them against each other.

The Scripture gives us a better way. It tells us to thank God every day for His blessings and to focus our attention not on ourselves, but on those who are less fortunate. Not once does it support or sanction the curse of victimization. Do not yield to it.

Just between us . . .

• Do we usually blame someone or something for our circumstances?
• How does playing the role of a victim make us tend to give up?
• What does God promise us for our earthly struggles?

Today's Prayer

Lord, forgive us for our quickness to shift into "victim thinking." Show us which hard things we can change and which we should accept as Your loving best for us. And grant us Your grace and joy in both circumstances. Amen.

Night Light: A Devotional for Couples
Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Back to Top

Friday – February 24, 2012

Watch Out For Traps

Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

We've found that retired couples and stay‐at‐home spouses are especially likely to fall into four traps that can take the joy out of life. Here they are, along with some suggestions for avoiding each trap. First is the trap of isolation. Don't allow yourself to withdraw within your own four walls. Stay connected to people even when it's easier to stay home.

The second trap is inactivity. The simple act of taking a walk, visiting the library, or going grocery shopping keeps the muscles limber and the mind alert.

Third is the trap of self-pity. This attitude can cripple or even kill you! To ward it off, reach out to others. Develop a ministry of prayer and hospitality for those around you. The fourth trap is despair. The elderly, in particular, can slip into thinking that life is over and no longer worth living. Yet the Christian must always be future oriented. The beauty of our faith lies in the assurance of the next world, where true joy awaits us all.

Just between us . . .

• Do you ever fall into any of these traps? Which one(s)?
• What specific things can we do to avoid them?
• Are you looking forward to the future? Why or why not?
• How does God use the elderly for His purposes?
• How could praying and caring for others lead to joy for us?

Today's Prayer

Father, we are so thankful that we will one day leave life's troubles behind and enter the joy of eternity with You. In the meantime, help us redeem the time for Your glory, confident that You are ready to work out Your divine purposes in every moment. Amen.

Night Light: A Devotional for Couples
Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Back to Top

Get Your Copy of Night Light For Couples

We truly hope you are blessed by these inspiring and thought-provoking devotions by Dr. James Dobson. Today, why not add the powerful resource Night Light For Couples to your home library?

You’ll enjoy six month’s worth of daily devotions to help you and your spouse renew love and intimacy with each other and the Lord. Whether you're newly married or are celebrating your golden anniversary, you need regular, quiet moments with your mate—times to renew love and intimacy with each other and with the Lord.

Night Light for Couples, by Dr. James Dobson and his wife, Shirley, will help you do just that. The daily devotional offers the personal, practical, and biblical insights that have sustained the Dobsons' marriage for more than fifty years and encouraged couples and families around the world. Let Night Light for Couples enrich your marriage too—tonight and every night.

Request your copy in the RESOURCES Center at drjamesdobson.org or call Family Talk’s Customer Care Line at 1-877-732-6825.