😠 I was unwilling…

Ever had your boss assign you a task you absolutely hated? You’re already irritated, but you do it anyway—because, well, it’s your job. The whole time, you’re grumbling, dragging your feet, and when a coworker asks you something, you snap at them. Now they’re wondering, What’s his problem? You finally finish the task, but it took longer than it should have, and you feel drained. Sound familiar? I get it. This is what happens when we obey, but are not willing. Sure, the job gets done, but we leave a mess in the process—hurting those around us, slowing ourselves down, and feeling exhausted. Let me share my story of how I was unwilling.

My pride wanted control…

I’ve been there in my walk with God. My wife has reminded me time and time again to surrender to the process God has for us. Outwardly, I would nod and agree. But inwardly? I was stubborn, resistant. My heart wasn’t truly committed. I followed God’s direction in my actions, but my attitude was all wrong. Deep down, my pride wanted control. I wanted the kind of success the world brags about, even though I knew chasing that would mean disobedience to what God was calling me to.

God met me there!

But when I finally humbled myself and truly surrendered—when I repented, not just in my actions but in my heart—God met me there. He started to give me the grace to change, to obey Him willingly, not grudgingly. That’s when things started shifting, not just in my circumstances, but in me.

See, God isn’t just looking at what we do—He’s looking at how we do it. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV). We can go through the motions of obedience, but if our heart isn’t in it, we miss the whole point. We become numb, just checking boxes instead of truly growing. God wants us fully present, learning, leaning into Him, and walking in obedience with a surrendered heart.

What if my spouse is unwilling?

But what if you’re on the other side of this? What if your spouse is the one who’s unwilling? How do you deal with that? First, pray for them—not with frustration, but with a heart that truly intercedes for them. Bring them before God and trust Him to do the work. Second, have the courage to self-examine. Ask God, Am I also unwilling in areas? Am I leading by example? Sometimes, the biggest way to influence change in someone else is by letting God change you first.

At the end of the day, your spouse has free will—you can’t force them to change.

But when God sees that you’re serious about letting Him work in you, He’ll start working on them too. Be encouraged today! 

Monday Encouragement provides powerful, thought-provoking video content designed to inspire and uplift. Led by Paztuh Mike, each episode draws from his own personal struggles and real-life victories, creating a relatable and authentic teaching experience. Through a combination of Scripture, relevant discussions on current events, and heartfelt testimonies, viewers are invited to encounter transformative truths that speak directly to their own lives.

Whether you’re facing challenges, seeking guidance, or simply in need of spiritual encouragement, this series provides the tools and insights to help you navigate your journey with renewed strength and purpose. New episodes are released every month so don’t miss out—subscribe below to receive your dose of encouragement!

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