Is There Hope for My Marriage? One Good Reason to Stay Togetherಮಾದರಿ

God-sized Joy

The word “glory” fits quite well when we speak of the Trinity, but have you ever considered the joy that comes from the Trinity–the joy of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Can you imagine the Triune God being affected by us? When we live in oneness, He delights over us with joy.

When I see my own children doing something that I have taught them and doing it well, I can’t help but burst into a smile. That’s what God does when we live as He does, as one.

Living in oneness is not just getting along or not fighting and arguing, but rather, it is a constant sacrificial and mutual submission to each other, considering one another, counting each other as more important in all humility. God is delighted when we live as one together in marriage, submissive and sacrificial.

You might say that I don’t know your spouse. In all marriages, spouses fall victim to being selfish and sinful. (Though this in no way condones abuse. If you believe your marriage is abusive, please seek help from a trusted counselor.). This highlights the impossibility of living in oneness in a fallen world, but God calls us to do the impossible just as He did. He has set the bar so high. He set it far above the mediocrity I am satisfied with. We are called to “be holy as I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

We can’t possibly attain such humility without Christ. The same power that forgives our sins also restores us to walk in obedience with humility with another sinful creature in marriage.

And to think that demonic forces want to keep it all from us. But God, in His infinite wisdom, mercy, and kindness, invites us into oneness and His eternal joy. He asks us to do the impossible and gives us the strength to do what He created us to do.

In the weakness of our flesh and the strength of Jesus, He gives us everything!

At FamilyLife, we want to be a part of your journey, so we’ve gathered some of our best marriage resources for you on FamilyLife.com.