Marriage is Sacred and Binding, No Matter the Circumstance

For better or for worse.

For rich or for poor.

In sickness and in health.

Until death separates us.

In many wedding ceremonies, these or similar words are shared as a promise between a groom and his bride in the presence of God. Not only are the marital vows a promise between you and your spouse, they are also a promise between you and God.

Nonetheless, so many repeat these words without having a second thought and without considering the depth of their meaning. Many people agree to the "terms", but only under certain conditions.

At the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. (Mark 10:6-9 NIV)

These are the words of Jesus on marriage.

One of the purposes of marriage is to represent the relationship between God and His church. God is to the church what a husband is to his own wife. Once you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, you become a child of God and are saved by His grace forever. There is no person, no thing, and no sin that can separate you from God's family once you've accepted Him as Lord and Savior. God is with you forever.

If God is to the church what a husband is to his own wife and if God never leaves us (the church), then why does God permit divorce?

It's because our flesh is weak and due to the hardness of our hearts that God permits divorce, but only in the case of perpetual adultery (sexual immorality). (Matthew 5:31-32) Although, God hates divorce.

Aside from perpetual adultery and hazardous domestic abuse, there are so many reasons why you should not divorce your spouse. With God, commitment, patience, and prayer, you and your spouse can work through any situation.

Incompatibility. Infidelity. Money issues. Conflict and arguing. Commitment issues. Marrying too young. Communication issues. Unrealistic expectations. Lack of intimacy. Lack of equality. Substance abuse. Incarceration. Weight gain.

I repeat ~ With God, commitment, patience, and prayer, you and your spouse can work through any situation. Try Jesus. I've tried Him and I know Him. I know that He is able to change the hearts and minds of individuals, He can move in any situation, He can work miracles, and He can use any person or any situation to reveal His power and glory to you and others.

Tips: Pray with your spouse to God. Be specific in your request. If your spouse does not want to pray with you, then go to God in prayer by yourself. Be specific and be consistent. Instead of constantly nagging to your spouse, go to God each time you feel the need to vent or complain. Go to God instead. Wait and watch God move in your situation. Be patient. God's time is not our time, and remember that there is purpose in our troubles and long-suffering.

Consider this: What if you follow my tips and give God a chance to work out your situation for your good? What if God changes your heart/mind while in the midst of changing your spouse's heart/mind for the better? What if, after your long-suffering period is over, your situation becomes greater later? What if your children or others around you are blessed by your obedience to God and commitment to your spouse/marriage? What if your disobedience to God and lack of commitment to your spouse/marriage ends up hurting you or your loved ones more in the end?

Try and trust God, and let me know how that works out for you.

In love.

~Always Tiffany Nicole