“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
—Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
—Isaiah 55:11–12 NIV
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
—Psalm 139:15–17 NLT
DID YOU KNOW THAT GOD HAS A VISION FOR YOUR life? He has specific purposes in mind that you were specially created to breathe life into for his people and his glory. If you are married, one of the purposes for your life is to become holy within the context of marriage, shining his light to the world.
Using the assessment you did for Dare 3, write a positive purpose statement in the present tense, describing how and who you intend to be in your marriage in four months. Use “I am” language, as opposed to “I want to be” or “I will.” Note that the tense is current, as if it were already a reality.
Keep your statements as positive as possible, avoiding “I’m no longer,” “I’m not,” or “I don’t” statements. Write about two hundred words, being as descriptive as possible. Here’s an example:
I am a woman of strength and dignity who holds her head up in challenging circumstances. I smile at the days to come and am confident, looking forward to what is coming my way. I am my husband’s confidante; he entrusts his deepest cares and concerns to me. When I ask him if he feels respected by me, his answer is an enthusiastic “Yes!” I am organized in my home, and my children are able to find whatever they need because everything has a place and is in its place. I have peace in my home and am reliant upon the Lord alone for my happiness. I find my strength and my encouragement in God and spend intentional time with him nearly every day.
It doesn’t matter if what you write is currently very far from the truth. What matters most is that you write a positive, present-tensed purpose statement of who you think God has planned for you to be and how you are to interact primarily in your marriage and family. Certainly one could spend time doing this in other areas of life, but for now, you will focus only on your marriage.
When you have finished writing your purpose statement, rewrite it as a prayer and tape it somewhere you will see it a minimum of once a day. Begin the discipline of praying this statement as a daily prayer, from the heart, as you go through the remaining days of The Respect Dare.