When I was a kid, I remember watching Power Rangers and thinking I wanted to be the Pink Power Ranger. The Power Rangers were so cool to me and always saved the day by beating up the bad guys. I wanted to be apart of their team because they fixed problems and created solutions. It seemed like a perfect job. When someone was in trouble, they came to the rescue! When the world needed them, they were right there to save the day! Ahhh what amazing superheroes they were.
In addition to Power Rangers, I loved Batman. I thought he was so cool and distinguished because he could go from wearing a suit as Bruce Wayne to being (theme music please...) Batman! Oh yea! Batman was THE MAN! He was so sheek and sly that he could save the day and you not even see him because of his speed. His costume, his Batmobile and his deep voice made him one of the greatest superheroes of all time.
However, the realistic fact about both of these superheroes is that they aren't real at all. They are fictional characters created by skilled writers. Yet, they have become cartoon legends with new movies coming out periodically that skyrocket in ticket sales.
Why do they have such an impact? Because they are classic cartoon heroes that give the depiction that they can save the world! It's great to love these superheroes as characters, but what happens when you think that your spouse should embody the same characteristics? Hmmmm....you actually find yourself putting a cape on someone who's not able nor worthy to be compared to be the ultimate problem solver- JESUS.
When I first got married, I loved that my husband was the ultimate "fixer." If something went wrong with my car, he was quick to try to fix it. If something wasn't working in our apartment, he immediately became the family personal handy man. It was an amazing feeling that as soon as I became a "damsel in distress," he came to my rescue. However, I created an unhealthy expectation of my husband. I started to think that he was supposed to be able to fix EVERY THING and EVERY SITUATION. It was really outrageous now that I look back because I would go into "spoiled brat mode." If I was nervous about seeing a rodent downtown and he didn't shield me or walk with me to avoid it from happening, I would get upset. When we were robbed, I immediately thought, "How did this happen to us? Fix it!" When we got flooded, I was so frustrated and started thinking, "Husbanddddd, fix this mess pleeeeeeease!" Then all of a sudden, one day as we were riding in the car together, the Holy Spirit convicted me BIG TIME! I heard the Lord so clearly say, "I'm the only hero. Only I can fix what you're going through and only I can solve your problems. Lean on ME. Trust in ME. Your husband is a man that I created. Therefore, he needs ME to do ALL things."
Whew! Talk about powerful....all I could do was weep and worship GOD the entire rest of the ride and night. Philippians 4:9 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." This verse encourages us to know that every need we have WILL be met by God. He will never leave us nor forsake us and he is a very present help in the time of trouble. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 46:1) That means he's always with us! The word "present" means NOW! He's with you right now. He hasn't left and he won't leave. He's always with you to protect you, to keep you and to provide for you. He's a GOOD Father and he takes GOOD care of his children.
Although superheroes are cool and I love watching the new movies featuring their stories, I am so grateful that I was saved by the ULTIMATE superhero: JESUS CHRIST! When Jesus died for my sins and took me out of my mess to make me new, he saved my life. When he made me in his image and submerged me with his love, he saved me. (Genesis 1:27 ~ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.) When I confessed as an 8-year-old little girl the confession of faith and prayed the prayer of salvation, he saved me! What a blessing! He also rescued me from the path of destruction consumed by my flesh because it would have lead me straight to hell. What an amazing GOD! Who wouldn't serve a GOD like that?
His love never fails and his grace and mercy is new every single morning. (Lamentations 3:23 ~ Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.) Often times, I know that the Lord should discipline me and will get me aligned with his will by giving me tests and trials. Yet, in the midst of everything, when I lay before him and get in his presence, he encaptures me with his love before he disciplines me. He romances my heart with his adoration for me and he comforts my soul as he lets me know that he's there in the midst of the storm. When you fall in love with the Savior of our souls, you realize that no other superhero can compete. You also learn that your spouse is totally dependent on HIM as the source, so your focus changes.
I started to pray for my husband even more and prayed that his dependence would be totally and completely on GOD. I prayed that his mind would be regulated so that he would think the thoughts of GOD. I prayed that his spiritual ears would be opened so that he could hear the voice of GOD. I prayed for his mouth to be purified so that he would speak the word of GOD and I prayed that his hands would be that of a worshipper allowing GOD to bless everything he touched. My prayers ultimately changed from my attention being on him fixing the problems to THE problem solver giving him wisdom on how to do so. GOD CAN DO ANYTHING, and without him we are nothing. We are merely existing when we live without the light and pulse of Jesus running through our veins. I encourage you to get into his presence today if you haven't already. His love will change your perspective, take away your doubts, concerns and fears, and alter the course of your thinking. Oh how he loves you! Dig in today and receive his love!
Nuggets to remember:
1) Your spouse is not a superhero, so they are not the ultimate problem solver or fixer.
2) In order for your spouse to function at their maximum potential, they must be connected to the source: JESUS CHRIST, who will give them wisdom on how to do what needs to be done.
3) Stop with the unrealistic expectations you have of your spouse. Turn your attention towards JESUS and away from the "false superhero" you've created in your mind.
4) God will meet all of your needs and will never leave you. Take time to get in his presence. You may go in burdened, but I guarantee that you'll experience a change in your perspective and leave with the burdens off of your shoulders.
God Bless!
~ CW
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