Going By Faith in Marriage
One that is joined by Him and holds together because of Him.
Not long ago the post “What Does It Mean to Submit to Your Husband (Biblically)?” hit the site. It wasn’t written as my personal instruction but as a question that gets answered by scripture. (It also includes a link to a GREAT sermon on what submission in marriage means… worth a watch.)
Needless to say, I’m forever learning. It is a good thing that God has infinite patience and mercy.
It’s also a good thing He wants us to learn about our roles in marriage from Him.
If not God, who else would we learn from?
Faith and Marriage: It’s Not Always an Easy Ride
In times of dispute, if I’m not keeping my eyes on the Lord, my mind lingers in the negative, looks for fault and rehashes the hurt. Maybe that’s all of us.
Going by faith in marriage isn’t always an easy ride because there are some challenges that — even with faith — are hard to bear. There are some patterns that run deep; some strongholds that seem as if they will never surrender.
We might wonder, in the quiet of our mind, if things will ever change. If God truly hears our prayers.
And yet, even in moments of uncertainty, there is a choice. There is a choice to turn the tide with a gentle word, a forgiving heart and a warm touch. (More on that here: How to Move Past an Argument)
Of course humbling ourselves enough to say “I’m sorry” when we feel wronged, or forgiving when we feel hurt, or loving when we feel anything other than love is not at all what we want to do in moments of pride. It’s what God commands us to do.
And in time, with practice and the right spirit, it’s what we want to do.
If God Isn’t the Center of Marriage, Who Is?
That’s a scary question to even ponder, really.
The more my husband and I learn to handle miscommunications, confrontations and disputes gracefully, the more I see how God changes our hearts and lives for good. The more I see the beauty I would be missing in my husband — beyond outer appearances — if I didn’t have eyes to see. Ears to hear.
He’s human. I’m human. When we choose old patterns and reactions it gets ugly.
When we die to ourselves and choose the Lord, I see love that can only come from the holiest place.
As each new day presents itself, we have the choice to go by faith in marriage. It’s a honor to serve in this way, to choose to love the Lord and in turn, to grow more in love with my husband on every level.
Thank you Lord. I pray that you continue to bless our marriage and also to bless the marriages of all who read this post, today and in the future.
Amen!
P.S.
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