Marriage is designed by God, but is usually an uphill
battle. When we put two or more people together, there is inevitably conflict
of some sort. Let's face it, we often cannot even get along with our self, much
less with other people.
Life happens, challenges arise and situations change.
These often attack our marriage as well. Not only do we have to adjust, but we
have to bear the consequences of our spouse's attempting to adjust as well.
If we face life's challenges together as a unit, we can
change and adapt together and at the same time. This makes for a much smoother
transition. When we include God in the decisions and problem solving efforts,
He works out everything for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28; Ecclesiastes 4:12).
God saw that man was alone and this was not good. So He
created marriage to bless us and to lighten our load in life. He helps us to
enjoy our marriage rather than to endure it. He provides faultless fruition for
every need.
This requires that we spend time together as a couple,
unified in the Spirit and with one another in prayer. God never promises us a
window into our future, but He does promise to walk with us and in us through
its challenges.
Taking advantage of our days off, vacation times, free
week-ends, and an occasional afternoon or evening without prior commitments, we
can make time to watch a movie together, listen to a political debate, follow
our favorite team on the sport's channel, read a book together, snuggle beneath
the sheets, have dinner at a restaurant instead of at home, join friends for
coffee and dessert, etc.
In Christ, we find joy in our marriage partner and solace
in their care for us. We find fulfillment in helping them to fulfill their
needs as God supplies us with everything we need. We enjoy life with the mate
He gives to us (Ecclesiastes 9:7, 9).
Prayer:
Father God, life is never, ever easy; but You make all
things possible as we have faith in Your faithfulness. You have arms long
enough to save us and ears that always hear our cries (Isaiah 59:1; 1 John 5:15).
Help us to commit every moment to You, rather than to follow our own path in
life.
Everything You do remains forever (Ecclesiastes 3:14). As
we walk in obedience to Your Spirit, we reap the rewards of righteousness
rather than the consequences of our sin and disobedience. Remind us to draw
together as a couple and to lean on You for strength to face life's challenges.
Thought for the Day:
Let us make a conscious effort to add more romance to our
marriage; to put an end to pessimism, skepticism, criticism, etc; and to deal
with negative emotions before they get deep seated in our soul - confessing our
sins to God and to one another.
