using our gifts in marriage

7/28/2019 Using Our Gifts in Marriage

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Marriage Message #232 - Using Our Giftedness in Marriage

Compromise --it's an action we love to receive but don't always like to give. Yet in

marriage it's necessity --otherwise most of us couldn't live together. But have you

thought about learning to compromise when we use our spiritual giftedness? Read

what Pam Farrell writes about this subject in the book she and her husband Bill

wrote titled, "Every Marriage Is a Fixer-Upper":

"Over the years my husband Bill and I had to learn to make compromises. I learned

that having to share Bill with the world is a small price to pay to be married to a

man [who has the gift of mercy] with this amazing heart and character. He learned

to set up boundaries and protect days off, holidays and vacations. He decided to

meet people only at the office so our home could be a place of rest and family

connection.

"We should make room for one another's gifts instead of being frustrated by them.

For example, a couple can become frustrated if the wife has the gift of hospitality

when the husband is the kind of person who doesn't like to have many people

around or doesn't want people to bother his stuff. Can you see how a situation like

this might cause anxiety even though it involves your area of strength?

"These gifts are God-given and enhance your life in a powerful way. They are also

so powerful that they can disrupt your life if they run unchecked. A couple can

come to a place of agreement by being aware of each other's gifts and makingallowances for them. Consider a couple that is asked to team-teach. If he has the

gift of teaching but she has the gift of helps, he could teach and she could handle

hospitality, provide resources, and make phone calls. She can be available for

individual discussions to help people apply the material to their lives while staying

in the background. This gives them both the opportunity to work in their comfort

range.

"The 'social butterfly' married to the 'king of the castle' type might compromise and

create a home that is guest-friendly but includes a private space that is off limits to

company. That way, he can retreat if the company becomes too much for him.

"Talk with your mate about the list below. This is not an exhaustive list of gifts but

rather a place to begin the dialogue. Discuss how you can make room for each

other's gifts, and find creative solutions for any differences. [If your spouse isn't

the type who will do this with you, look over the list yourself to identify your

giftedness; then see if you can discover your spouses.]


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* "Administration: directing projects (Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:5, 28).

* "Craftsmanship and artistry: using your hands to create or build so that others are

pointed toward God (Exodus 30:22-25; 2 Chronicles 34:9-13; Acts 16:14; 18:3)

* "Evangelism: communicating spiritual truth to lead someone to a personal

relationship with God (Acts 5:42; Romans 10:15; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5).

* "Exhortation: encouraging people and walking alongside them to bring out the

best in them (Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7).

* "Giving: providing faithful stewardship and sharing with others (Mark 12:41-44;

Luke 18:12; Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7).

* "Helps and serving: caring for others by working behind the scenes (Mark 2:3-4;

Luke 22:22-27; Romans 16:1-2; 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Timothy 6:2; 1 Peter

4:9-10).

* "Hospitality: using the home or other resources to make people feel included and

welcomed (Acts 16:15; 21:16-17; Romans 12:9-13; 16:23).

* "Intercession: devoting time and energy to pray more than the average person

does (Acts 12:1-17; 16:25-31; Colossians 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:1-8).

* "Knowledge: sharing information that helps people live a life in a productive,

healthy manner (Romans 15:14; 1 Corinthians 12:8; 13:8).

* "Leadership: directing people (1 Timothy 5:17).

* "Mercy: showing compassion and acting to meet needs (Luke 10:33-35; Acts

9:36; 16:33-34; Romans 12:8).

* "Music: singing or playing instruments to turn hearts toward God (1 Samuel16:16; 1 Chronicles 16:41-42; 2 Chronicles 5:12-13).

* "Prophecy: publicly proclaiming truth (Ezra 6:1-3; Isaiah 14:28; 25:1; 1

Corinthians 12:10; 13:2; 14:1).


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* "Teaching: explaining harder concepts to others and helping them apply them

(Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3:2).

* "Wisdom: applying knowledge with discretion and insight (2 Chronicles 1:11-12;

Proverbs 1:2; 2:10).

* "Writing: communicating information to help others grow in faith, develop life

skills, or turn toward God (Psalms 45:1; Acts 15:19-20; Philippians 3:1; 1 Timothy

3:14-15)."

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We hope this has been helpful for you as a married couple to consider your God-

given giftedness. We also hope you will reach forward to help each other find

opportunities to use your talents in the best way possible. But keep in mind thatyou are to work WITH each other on this not to say, "Well, this is a talent/gift the

Lord has given me so just learn to live with it!" And on the other-hand, you're not

to say, "Your talent/gift causes too many problems so you have to stop." It's

finding ways to compromise and work WITH each other on this issue.

And if you don't have a spouse who will discuss this list with you, ask the Lord to

show you what your giftedness is and how you can use them in ways that won't

negatively affect your marital relationship. The Bible says in Matthew 5:14-16,

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do

people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it

gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before

men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

We pray the Lord will show you how to "let your light shine" so others

including your spouse, may see your good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.

Steve and Cindy Wright

using our gifts in marriage

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