"Marriage may be the toughest ministry you ever undertake". Do you know why simple steps and praying harder won't overcome your marital issues? They only work on a superficial level.
To spiritually benefit from marriage, we have to be honest. We have to look at our disappointments, own up to our ugly attitudes and confront our selfishness. We have to work hard sometimes. The Bible gives us many scriptures on how to live and how to treat others. Did you know that those same scriptures that we apply to others also applies to our spouses? They are your significant OTHER! They are not just your spouse, but God's creation. 1Peter 2:17 Show proper respect to EVERYONE! Even your spouse. Go read 1Peter 3-apply this whole chapter to your marriage. What about Colossians 3:9-25? Check it out! Or how about Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome(injurious to physical, mental, or moral health; unhealthy) talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building OTHERS up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Vs 31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, & anger, brawling & slander along with every form of malice. Be kind & compassionate to one another, forgiving each OTHER, just as in Christ God forgave you. Add to these Galatians 5:22 & 1 Corinthians 13-that's what love really is. Did you know that in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 it says to respect those who work hard among you. I wonder if we can also apply this concept to our marriages. Our attitude in marriage should reflect the attitudes listed in Matthew 5:1-11, the Be-attitudes. There are plenty of Don't Be-attitudes too! Check out Philippians 2:3-11. Never consider yourself better than OTHERS! Not even your spouse! Yea it happens! How many times have you raged about how stupid they are? Really? Why? Because you're so much smarter? Been there! Do nothing out of selfish ambition & conceit! What if we applied Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his or her own opinions. Surely we don't do this! 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we may comfort those (OTHERS), in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. Is your marriage in trouble? Divorce is not the answer, it's the easy way out! God created you to be holy and if you've chosen to be married, there's no better way to improve yourself. 1 Corinthians 7:27a Are you married? Do not seek divorce. Before you give up and walk away pray asking, "O Lord, search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See O Lord if there is ANY offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Create in me a new heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me!" In Jesus name!
Don't give up on this ministry called marriage!
Faithfully learning to be holy!
Stephanie Goode
