We make mistakes in choosing a mate sometimes. We have this list and check it off or jump in too soon before we know the person.
What should be on the top of the list is, Are they Christian? They could be attractive, funny, have a good job, friendly, but when you omit the most important aspect, you join Jesus with a child of Satan. Now I'm not saying he is a wicked devil worshipper, just that he is in his own path, not yours.
Cattle must be equally yoked to work together, be balanced, walk on the same path. Otherwise there will be stress, each trying to pull the other off track, causing conflict and often failure to accomplish the goal. Christ has one goal, Satan is opposing that direction.
I experienced being unequally yoked. I suppose I had to in order to learn what it was BUT _ there is something more.
ROMANS 8:28 is a promise. "God causes all things to work together for good, for those who love the LORD, for those who are called to His purpose."
You are a Christian, so this applies to you, which means God has a purpose, not just a learning experience, not just a test of your faith but also concerning your husband. You and your household will be saved - that means as long as he is with you, he is part of this promise.
So how much patience do you have?
How long is this gonna take and how long can I live like this? These are valid questions. You may look at him and say, this guy will never change. He won't change himself, but God can change him. Your "unconditional love" is required, because you aren't getting much back. It's a faithful sacrifice, submitting to inconvenient and uncomfortable challenges and stress.
Keep in mind what Isaac went through to get Rebecca, 7 years only to be tricked and another 7 years. He submitted to the task. His faith and patience were tested.
Think of Joseph, Job and Paul, what they went through.
Your love, devotion, gentleness, forgiveness and grace saturating his life will astound him. He wont know or understand why. When he finally asked why or how you could do this, then you hit him with: Jesus loves you through me.
Obviously if he is physically abusive, you have your rights to live safely out of harms way.
Find one of more good things about him and focus on that, forgiving his flaws. Be a Proverbs 31 woman as best you can. Provide for his needs so there is nothing he can complain about not getting.
You are sacrificing your life for his salvation.
Pray daily for strength and guidance, He is with you, but this may take years.
My father was a good man, a gentleman, loving, unselfish and patient - but he was an atheist. Looking at him, you would think he lived by Biblical principals - unbeknownst to him. He taught us the golden rule which he thought came from civilization, having evolved. He taught that it is better to give than receive, also part of evolution - he thought.
His parents and 7 sister's were all Christians and so he was brought up with them until his father became ill when my Dad was 10 years old. This young boy got on His knees and prayed to God for his father's life - and God said NO. At that time, this boy lost faith, said there is no God. He was angry.
Long story short,a few years before he died he repented, got on His knees again and made his peace with God, he was 83.
So, you never know, God may transform your hubby next year or later on. You need to have faith that even in our big mistakes ( which God already has factored into his plans for your life), He works all things together for good.
The happiest people are those who don't think about themselves, aren't selfish but seek to serve others.
