To many of us, faith and marriage are worlds apart. After all, to get married, you only need to be in love, right? This past week I have been going through Hebrews 11, and I realized that faith is crucial in the marriage relationship. Take a look at what I discovered below!
1. You need to have faith that your marriage will work
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (NIV)
There is no way of foreseeing how things will be in your marriage six months after the wedding. The two of you have come from different backgrounds, and you probably have very different worldviews. Also, you will face many tests over the years, tests that may even threaten your relationship.
That is where faith comes in. God, being the author of true faith, is the best person to ask for help in making your marriage work. The marriage relationship is important to God, and as such, if you ask for his help, he will gladly give it to you. Let him take charge of what lies ahead in your marriage, both expected and unexpected.
2. You need to give God his rightful place in your marriage
Here is the thing – many couples do not realize how much they need God in their marriages until the tough times come knocking. Isn't it easier to involve him from the very beginning?
Hebrews 11:6b "Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." (NLT)
God is always ready to help us out when things get tough, on condition that we believe in him. We must have confidence that he can do what he has promised in his word. Place God at the centre of your marriage, believe in him, and he will be there for you every step of the way.
3. You need to have faith that your children will be blessed
Getting children is one thing, making sure they excel in their lives is another. In Hebrews 11, when Isaac blessed his children, he did so out of faith that God would hear him and answer his prayers for them.
Hebrews 11:20 "It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau." (NLT)
Jacob did the same for his grandsons, Joseph's sons;
Hebrews 11:21 "It was by faith that Jacob when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff." (NLT)
How are children and faith tied together? Simple. You need to believe that God will give you children. You also need to have faith that God will show you how to bring them up well. As you pray for your kids, believe that God will bless them in all that they do, for all the days of their lives.
4. You need to have faith that God has a plan for your marriage
You and your spouse may have a plan for your marriage, but there will be times when things do not go according to plan. In such situations, remember that God has a plan for you, and everything concerning you is important to him.
Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" (NLT)
Marriages go through high and low seasons, and there will be moments when you both feel like you are losing direction. Have faith in God's plan for your marriage, and involve him in all your decisions.
Bidding your single life goodbye and starting life with a complete stranger takes lots of faith. There are no assurances that things will always work out for both of you. Place God, the author of faith at the centre of your marriage, and you will be assured of his help throughout the journey. All the best!
Missed our last reflection? Here it is -four-things-i-wish-i-was-told-during premarital counseling
Interested in another topic? four-simple-lessons-from-psalm-37
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