Facing challenges in your marriage

Facing challenges in your marriage

The onset of a marriage is most times loving and sweet but as days, months and years go by the task of maintaining the flow becomes intimidating.  Often, Christian couples seem to forget that they are in that relationship with God as their sanctifier and helper. If they resort to doing things that come naturally to them difficulties that seem insurmountable will gradually harden their attitudes. As the saying goes ‘the God of the mountain is still God when you’re in the valley’. According to Olympic gold medalist, Scott Hamilton, 'the only disability in life is a bad attitude' and it’s so true. Couples that disregard building an understanding attitude towards the incompatible opinions, actions, inactions and moods of their spouse will definitely meet a strong roadblock in their marital journey.

A positive attitude wards off strive

After attending a marriage conference where the importance of positive attitude was discussed, Jane (not her real name) went home determined to make a change about the frequent quarrels she has with her husband about family upkeep money. The following morning as he was about living the house she requested for money, he turned a deaf ear and proceeded to leave. Instead of her usual insistence on his not leaving until he gave her the money, she maintained a calm demeanor, silently prayed that the Holy Spirit direct her utterance, then quietly explained to him that she really needed the money to buy some foodstuff s they had ran out of. He halted in his track surprised by her change of attitude; he had expected her to put up a fight. He slowly reached for his pocket, brought out some money and gave her while saying she would have not have gotten anything from him because he is low on cash. She herself was amazed at how peaceful the conversation went. When she was relating the encounter another day in the conference, she said she hoped the peaceful atmosphere will continue in her family. However, it depends on her to be super conscious of the indwelling Holy Spirit and rely on his leading.

The way to go

We are encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24, “whatever you do (in your marriage), do it heartily as to the Lord and not to (your spouse) men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ”, (emphasis is mine). Always bear in mind that your love for God is evidenced by loving and serving your spouse unconditionally, this will make the tenacity for keeping a positive attitude to be strengthened. If peace is elusive in your marriage, you have to work it out as Scripture says “……. Continue to work out your (marriage) salvation with fear and trembling”, while working out your marriage your also working out your salvation. God expects you to be victorious over the challenges of married life so you can be rewarded and crowned for having overcome and so partake in the wedding feast of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7). A positive attitude is a choice you make and maintain in the face of challenging negative approach from your spouse. If you’re working with God, it can only get better!

Pray with 1Cor 15:58 Father teach me to be ‘steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (in my marriage), knowing that my labor is not in vain in the Lord’ Amen. Alleluia!