Steadfast Love

I love this interview with my guest, Nicole Rhone, so much until I believe it would be a sin not to share.

Listen!!! God is good at being God! Our help is truly not needed. As a matter of fact, oftentimes we are in the way. Nicole shares the difficult decisions she had to face due to her husband's alcohol addiction. The trauma she was experiencing began to take residence in her mind, body and spirit, until it hospitalized her. But God! You see, once you've done all you can do and decide to surrender, God will so graciously step in and take over. Nicole knows this to be a fact and she now understands that her husband's fight was also her fight. Marriage is about oneness, but what exactly does that mean and what does it look like? Moreover, what does God require after you say "I do"? You are going to be truly blessed by Nicole's testimony and while there's not enough time to share it all she definitely shares more than enough.

Do yourself a favor and surround yourself with people who support and believe in your marriage. .steadfastlove

In one sentence, what would you have done differently the first five years of marriage?
I would have started [marriage] therapy earlier.

What is the best piece of advice you’d give to couples to protect the marriage vow?
To have open and honest communication. It’s so important for you to be honest about what’s hurting you, what you need, what you want and not hold back and be afraid to say those things because you’re afraid of hurting your spouses’ feelings or because you’re afraid that your needs won’t get met. You have to have open and honest communication, otherwise it’s not going to work.

What three words would you use to describe marriage?
Beautiful. Hard work. Blessing.












Marriage requires a mindset shift. Be it a small shift or significant shift, a shift is often necessary. My sister in Christ, Tiffany Martin, went over a decade refusing to acknowledge the individual change necessary for her marriage to blossom. She pointed the finger at her husband (as many wives do) and ignored the error of her own ways. But in her own words, "The Lord lovingly checked me in the area of wifehood." Tiffany eventually realized the reason why God didn't give her what she wanted when she wanted it. Take a listen as Tiffany shares the evolution of her marriage journey.

God is omniscient, loving and kind! He knows the seasons that you will not be able to prematurely withstand. Trust Him and trust His timing.

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In one sentence, what would you have done differently in your first 5 years of marriage? "I would have invited God into our marriage."

What is your best piece of advice for couples to protect the marriage vow? "Have a village of other people around you who have strong marriages and you need to have accountability partners because if you feel like you're gonna go against your vows in any kind of way ... you need to have somebody that you can talk to and they can pray with you and counsel you through that..."

What 3 words would you use to describe marriage? "Divine. Worth-It. Rewarding."



WAIT !!! If you missed part one of Anita's story, I encourage you to first go back and listen to the November segment. And listen closely before listening to this segment, part two, as Anita concludes the story of her beautiful betrayal. We often hear the saying, "But God", which indicates divine interference. However, there is another saying, "Just when", and you never know what will follow. Well, just when Anita found the strength to release the hurt she was struck with another blow. So it bears repeating, that you never know what tomorrow will bring! This statement is 100% truth. In fact, James 4:14 tells us this in scripture. Anita's story is one of forgiveness, trust, growth, perseverance and healing. Every wife has the sole decision to choose how she will respond to unexpected or hard situations. The good, the bad, the ugly, the indifference - it all boils down to choice. As a Transformational Speaker and best-selling Author of "STEP Into It - Overcoming Trials that Lead to Purpose", Anita reminds others that, “The trials of life DO NOT come to destroy you, but they have the potential to usher you into the purpose for which you were created.”

Marriage will always require heart work and maturity! Tomorrow comes, brighter days are ahead, but you must remain steadfast because at the end of day, God does all things well. Steadfast Love



In one sentence, what would you have done differently in your first 5 years of marriage? "I would have paid more attention to him."

What is your best piece of advice for couples to protect the marriage vow? "Communication. Make sure that you are communicating with each other on every level about everything because the lack of communication can leave the door open for just some things that are devastating to marriages..."

What 3 words would you use to describe marriage? "Beautiful. Beneficial. God-Honoring."

You never know what tomorrow will bring! This is a very true statement, yet most of us don't pay much attention to those words until we are forced. Anita was forced. After experiencing two of the most devastating trials of her life, she learned how to navigate the process of overcoming, which has led to her transformed way of thinking and living. Take a listen to part one of Anita's story as she shares her beautiful betrayal. How can betrayal be beautiful you might ask. Well Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Her husband's betrayal catapulted her into something greater, for herself and for others. Anita says, “The trials of life DO NOT come to destroy you, but they have the potential to usher you into the purpose for which you were created.” As a Transformational Speaker and best-selling Author of "STEP Into It - Overcoming Trials that Lead to Purpose", Anita shares a message of hope, perseverance, and triumph for those who are living in the midst and aftermath of devastating life trials.

Marriage, doing life with someone who most likely walks, talks, behaves, eats, drinks, thinks, plays and prays differently than you do, takes commitment. Everyday commitment! But as long as you continue to honor your commitment and honestly even when you fall short, God will honor His covenant and command His blessing. Steadfast Love

TO BE CONTINUED...

How do you win in marriage? Evelyn, the champion of women, says that clarity in communication is the key. Foundational issues begin when your spouse misinterprets or has a different perception of what was said. Frustration comes when needs are not met and in order to circumvent frustration, you must practice the way you communicate. It is not enough to simply communicate, you must also paint the picture and provide examples to ensure that your spouse understands what you truly need and what fulfilling that need looks like. Evelyn shares that you have the power to determine the direction of your marriage, but you have to be able to clearly communicate your needs, likes and dislikes. Take a listen to this very rich and necessary conversation.

If you feel that you have so many issues in your marriage and you don't know where to begin, start by listening closely to this conversation and then begin practicing one of the many nuggets of wisdom.

In one sentence, what would you have done differently in your first 5 years of marriage? "I would have asked more questions and listened more deeply."

What is your best piece of advice for couples to protect the marriage vow? "To put as much energy into lifting your spouse up as you do anything else in your life..."

What 3 words would you use to describe marriage? "Beautiful. Growing. Powerful."

How do you build your marital foundation without an example? Tanae comes from generations of unmarried women and struggled in her first few years of marriage. In fact, she admits that her first 3 years of marriage felt like hell. Although Tanae felt as if she was in hell, she realized that the expedient grace of God is always a blessing. As a wife, mother, minister, author, and founder of Grown and Godly Woman's Fellowship, Tanae shares why the constant renewing of your mind in the Word of God is so important.

Marriage in your own strength is impossible! Marriage without any support is impossible! At the end of the day, marriage is about teamwork. Find yourself a community that is rooting for your team!



In one sentence, what would you have done differently in your first 5 years of marriage? "I would have learned to love him better."

What is your best piece of advice for couples to protect the marriage vow? "Only look to the bible for resolution to marriage conflict. Every therapist/counselor will not be able to convey method... Marriage is only safe in God's Word."

What 3 words would you use to describe marriage? "Good. Good. Lovin'."