I Believe In You

What a difference you can make if you always treat your mate not as he might be at that moment, but as you know he can be.

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today,".-Hebrews 3:13

"I've hit the wall!" that was my first thought when I felt an intense tingling throughout my body. "This can't be happening now!" I pleaded with myself, "I still have eight miles to go!" But with each step, my body engaged in a war with my mind. On one side of the battle was that I had dreamed and trained for six months to complete a marathon. On the other side, however, was my body. At the eighteen-mile marker I began to experience severe cramping in my calves.

My wife, Erin, found me at the next mile marker. Expecting to see me running along joyously, her first thought was that I was injured. After explaining my dilemma, all I could think about was quitting. In my mind, if I had to walk the remaining distance, my dream of "running" a marathon was over. As I struggled with each step, Erin said something I'll never forget. "I believe in you!"

Looking back on the experience, Erin's encouragement seemed so simple. "I believe in you." I've heard her use those words many times before. But at that moment, during a time in which I felt so defeated, her words were like a burst of energy.

The rest of the race looked like a scene out of a Rocky movie. With each agonizing step, Erin was by my side. Some friends and family who were watching even joined in the long walk. However, as we reached the twenty-fourth mile, I couldn't endure walking any longer. If I was going to finish the race, I had to start running. After several yards, my calves began functioning again and I was able to jog. Finally, after 26.6 long miles, Erin and I crossed the finish line together. She believed in me.

The Power of Believing in Your Spouse

One of the greatest gifts you can give your mate is to believe in his or her dreams. As the pressures of life intensify, sometimes the difference between going after a dream and remaining passive is having someone say, "I believe in you!" If this is your desire, I encourage you to answer two important questions.

1. What are your mate's dreams?

The first step is to learn what your spouse is dreaming about. What specific things motivate him in life? What does she want to accomplish in her lifetime? During a road trip, Erin and I made a list of all the things we wanted to complete before we die. As Erin talked, I was amazed at the diversity of her dreams. I had no idea she even dreamt about some of those things. Understanding your mate's goals is a great way to deepen your intimacy.

2. What stands in his or her way?

After hearing about your mate's dreams, it's important to determine what might inhibit realizing those goals. Is it a lack of confidence? Maybe she doesn't know where to begin? Whatever the reason, I encourage you to find out and assist him or her to overcome those barriers.
As I discovered while running the marathon, when someone believes in you there's no limit to what can be accomplished. However, a goal is only a dream until someone makes it a reality. And that reality sometimes begins with a simple word of encouragement. What a difference you can make if you always treat your mate not as he might be at that moment, but as you know he can be.

God wants to be our leverage in living, empowering us to feel better about ourselves, more excited about our future, more grateful for those we love and more enthusiastic about our faith.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given you His Holy Spirit to help you live life according to His perfect plan. Why not pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:

Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you by directing my own life. I thank you that You have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sumber: christianwomentoday