We used the analogy of hurricane season for the message, and for those of you that don't know about hurricanes let me explain a little about them. For starters - there is a season that hurricanes are typically active... June through November is when we typically experience storms of that type. (I say typically because you never know these days!) When a storm comes through (like Ike)there is a calm/peace before the storm starts. Followed shortly by the heavy wind and rain - the middle is called the eye of the storm which is another period of calm/peace - and finally more heavy wind and rain. At the end of the storm - it is really pretty and peaceful again. Hurricanes are extremely destructive and certainly things are never the same again after you've experienced them. The message though is endurance - it may never be the same again, but it might get better if you wait it out.
We sang this song as part of our worship that morning, and it truly is a beautiful song. Take a minute, close your eyes and listen to the words...
| I Will Overcome - ... |
How amazing are those words?
What are some of the hurricanes that can split up a marriage?
- Chronic illness
- Financial ruin
- A runaway child
- Physical handicaps
- Job loss
- Extended unemployment
- Death of a child
- A spouse who doubts God
- Conflict with extended family
- Sexual addiction
- Depression
- Infertility/In ability to try for a child
- Blended families
- Many other tragedies
You have to resolve to have persevering love which includes: unconditional acceptance, endurance, preparation, and faith.
You must prepare for this type of relationship by: spending time together, resolve to endure together, communicate with each other, and making your marriage a safe place for feelings and opinions.
Did you know that the majority of marriages are reported to be better after 5 years if the couple has weathered a storm together?
I'm here to tell you that is the absolute truth. John and I are so much better for having endured our marriage troubles from a few years ago - we worked together and found a solution that helped us to become better not only apart but together as well. We are better people AND a better couple for having gone through what we did... and sticking together.
Where would we be if we had just let it all go and dissolved our union? I shudder to think about that possibility - and really there isn't much need because we are called to endure in our relationships. God doesn't want us to take the easy way out - he wants us to work through the trials that he gives us in order to learn from them AND use them for his glory.
Everyone out there is in some portion of their own hurricane season, and while it might be hard now... know that Jesus is with you, and that you are not alone. God won't give you more than you can handle - even if sometimes it seems like he might... you can make it through whatever trials you have in your life.
This song was part of our message as well... really take a minute to listen and read the words as they scroll on your screen.
This one almost brought me to my knees... it's so beautiful, and really gets to the heart of my desire for my marriage.
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
No matter what he has in store for John and I, we will work to deepen our relationship with Christ and through that we will deepen our relationship with each other... from there God will guide us on weathering the storms of life. In the end - he leads us all to the perfect partner for those storms, and I am so grateful to have such a "rock" in John.
He is my strength when I have none left. He reminds me to have faith that God will provide our every need... he provides just enough - always. It might not be in my ideal time frame, but it is always just enough.
Great post, Kim. A lesson we need to be reminded of constantly. Marriage is not disposable, like society has told us. The world makes it easy to walk away. But God has given husbands and wives a greater calling by entering the holy covenant of marriage. It's no wonder so many marriages not faith-based fail so easily. God only gives one reason why divorce is accepted, and that is sexual immorality, however, forgiveness and restoration are God's ideal.
ReplyDeleteKim, thanks for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you for this post. I am newly married, and we didn't really have the "honeymoon" period that everyone talks about. We have had some major financial troubles this year, and it has weighed heavily on our marriage with it being so new to begin with. We finally just gave everything to God. We prayed that he would take away the negativity that consumed us, and that he would show us the right path. We have a new respect for one another, and feel stonger than ever and we know that is God wrapping our marriage in his arms and guiding us in the right direction. I am thankful everyday that we didn't let the rough spots outweigh the closeness that we share and that we had God to turn to in our time of need.
ReplyDeleteSee - you inspired me again. :) Keep it up.
Denee'
YOU are beautiful, friend. <3
ReplyDelete