IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD, MARRIAGES BEGIN on a note of celebration and festivity. Hearts are aglow with joy and there’s a great sense of fulfillment in the new couple, their parents and all their loved ones.
As for the new couple themselves, their joy simply knows no bounds as they almost literally walk on imaginary clouds. They begin their journey into the future excited and confident that all will be well. And why not?
However, as time goes on, some unexpected surprises spring up. Could be a sudden loss of the husband’s job, causing the family to fall upon hard times. Could be delay in getting a conception on the part of the wife.
We never wish for adversity when getting married but somehow, they come in one form or another as we go on in our marital journey.
Our anchor scriptures for today instruct us that adversity will come our way in life even though we’re born again and faithfully serving God. But those verses assure us that whatever our afflictions may be, GOD WILL SURELY SEND US DIVINE DELIVERANCE. Not only that, the affliction will not cause damage or breakage in any area of our lives!
In scripting the traditional wedlock manual, the ancient men of God that wrote it ensured that they included in it the vow to stay committed to each other, no matter what happens in the changing scenarios of life.
“I, ___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE, FOR RICHER, FOR POORER, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH, TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH, TILL DEATH DO US PART, ACCORDING TO GOD’S HOLY ORDINANCE; AND THERETO I PLEDGE THEE MY FAITH [or] PLEDGE MYSELF TO YOU.”
Now, when challenges begin to surface in your marital journey, what are you to do? Is it time to chicken out and forsake your Partner and your marriage vows? True, some have done just that. They fled the marriage instead of putting up a fight to save their home. This is not noble or admirable in any way. It’s cowardly and many of those who chose that path are in regrets today.
Spouses, when you find yourselves surrounded by challenges, know that it’s time to roll up your spiritual sleeves and fight the good fight of faith to save your union. You can fight in the following ways:
(A) BEAR ALL THINGS (1 Corinthians 13:7) Bear the tough times. Don’t run away. It may entail much suffering and humbling experiences but know this: suffering never kills. It will make you emaciate and become lean, but you won’t die. As you bear the pains together, so you’ll grow in your love, closeness and appreciation of each other. And in the end, you’ll come out stronger.
(B) BELIEVE ALL THINGS (1 Corinthians 13:7) Believe in yourselves as a couple. Believe in your marriage, your dreams, your vision for your home and marriage, your love life and your future. Never lose faith in who you are nor in God’s ability to lift you high and far above your wildest dreams.
(C) HAVE AN UNDYING HOPE (1 Corinthians 13:7) Retain the beautiful and shinning hopes you both came into matrimony with. Keep nurturing those hopes and dreams. Remember Joseph and his dreams. He held on to them tenaciously despite the pains of slavery and imprisonment; and they eventually came to pass. Hold on to your dreams to become a great couple. Don’t allow the harsh experiences you’ve been through to dampen your enthusiasm and optimism. The truth is: your future is brighter than you can ever imagine!
(D) ENDURE EVERYTHING (1 Corinthians 13:7). When you know that the future before you and your Mate is glorious, then you’ll understand that it’s worth everything you have to put up with to wait for it.
(E) KEEP THE FIRE OF YOUR MARRIAGE BURNING (Songs 1:2; 7:10; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5)
The first things in Marriage are companionship (Genesis 2:18)and cleaving (Genesis 2:24). These are summed up in the physical activities of romantic love and sexual intimacy.
No matter how severe the adversities you’re going through as a couple, don’t suspend romance and sex; except for health or spiritual reasons.
Hear this: As the great famine roared through out Canaan land and beyond and hunger ravaged the countries, many of the heathen couples in Gerar suspended romance and sex. However, a godly couple, Isaac and Rebecca, were busy kissing, petting and making love both night and day. Infact, during one of the daytime sessions, they mistakenly left their window opened and King Abimelech saw them. But do you know what? It’s this couple who defied the famine and lived their full married life that got a great economic breakthrough right in midst of the grinding hunger!
(F) EARNESTLY PRAY AND EXERCISE DOGGED FAITH (Psalm 50:15; James 5:16b)
There are couples whose marital challenge isn’t just the lack of material things. What’s threatening their union is the poor bodily health or mental illness of one of the Spouses. When this is the case, it calls for earnest prayers and stubborn faith.
The woman with the issue of blood was definitely married. But her disease, tormented her marriage for twelve years. However, her FAITH gave her the victory.
Similarly, engage PRAYER AND FAITH and you’ll experience glorious victory over your marital challenges.
🍷🍗 TAKE-HOME LESSON: WHEN TOUGH TIMES HIT YOU AS A COUPLE, PRACTICE POINTS (A) TO (F) ABOVE AND YOU’LL WIN!
💕❤️ TONIGHT’S ONE FLESH ASSIGNMENT IN THE BEDROOM
Reread today’s devotional piece and discuss it.
🍏🍎 MARRIAGE REVOLUTION CONTINUES!🍎🍏
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