Deep Waters, Deeper Love: Marriage Lessons From JonahSample

Jonah's prayer from inside the whale tells us that no situation is too dark or hopeless for prayer and that includes your marriage. Think about Jonah's circumstances—he is surrounded by darkness, confined, and alone. Where did he turn? To God! In the same way, married couples facing the darkest moments in their marriage can still reach out to God together. Jonah's prayer wasn't a fancy formula or elegant words. His words were honest and raw. "The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me, seaweed was wrapped around my head." (Jonah 2:5-6a.) Jonah's life was in a hopeless situation. He then cried out to God. "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple." (Jonah 2:7). Jonah, in spite of his situation, offered praise to God. "But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, 'Salvation comes from the Lord.'" (Jonah 2:9).

This prayer gives us a framework for our marriages when we are in crisis. The first lesson is to turn to God knowing that He is there. He is there whether you have been avoiding Him, running from Him, or have put Him on the back burner of your life for a season or two. There is hope. Second, remember. Remember the times that God has been there for you before or times when you have seen God act in the lives of others. It is easy to forget these instead of adding them to the foundation of our faith. Third, offer praise to God. Offering praise to God when we are in crisis helps us refocus from the problem that seems hopeless to our God who has answers. Finally, repent and make good. As God opens a pathway out of the crises for you, ask Him to help you learn from the experience and to lead you down a new path.

"And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land." (Jonah 2:10) At the end of chapter two, Jonah goes from the belly of the whale in the middle of the sea to dry land. What does that tell us? When we listen to God and follow His path for us, we too can end up on the safety of dry land.

Next Steps:

Develop a Memory Journal. This is inspired by Jonah 2:7. Each month, share specific ways you've seen God work in your marriage and write these in a journal to read during difficult times.

Challenge:

When your marriage is struggling, write "Belly of the Fish" letters to each other that express your commitment to your marriage even when the circumstances feel hopeless. (Inspired by Jonah's vow in 2:9).