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Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Ephesians 5:21 MSG

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Sometimes in a marriage, the balance of power gets skewed. One person grabs the controls while the other locks down into victim mode. Or one person becomes passive and their spouse thinks, ‘I’d better take charge or nothing will ever happen.’ It often occurs slowly and subtly over time, without partners being aware of it.

The above verse challenges us to reverence and respect each other – to ‘submit to one another’ as the NIV puts it. This has all kinds of implications, but especially in the area of ‘who’s in charge’. No one person should be making all the major decisions or having the final say in every area of a couple’s life. Nor should one person abdicate all responsibility and simply coast along. What about your marriage? Do you feel you have a good balance of power, a give and take of who makes decisions and who gets the final say when you don’t agree?

Prayer (as a couple)

Heavenly Father, give us insight into how we relate to one another. Help us to be quick to ask for forgiveness, when we are taking too much or too little control.

Prayer (for others)

Lord Jesus, we pray for _______.  Help them to recognise their off-balance relationship and to find a more healthy way of relating.

Quote

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 NIV