LIFE IS DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY FOR THE CHRISTIAN

 


Why? Here are several reasons:

•    It is generally broken people who are being drawn to Him (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

•    1 Peter 4:17: For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

•    Our Lord is conforming us into His own likeness in holiness and righteousness (Ephesians 4:23-24): Hebrews 12:5–7 “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

•    Even Jesus had to learn obedience through the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8). How much more must we also learn obedience in this way!

This can be especially true with our marriages, where two come together with their own baggage—reactions, expectations, weaknesses, desires, hurts, and fears. Often, these cause recurring conflict, despair, and painfully expose our weaknesses, as they should.

Why does our Lord want us to experience these painful things? Learning to despair of ourselves, even our relationships, forces us to trust in God and to experience His deliverance:

•    2 Corinthians 1:8-10: For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

There is no other way. No pain no gain! But what must we do as we await His deliverance? Continue to entrust ourselves to the Lord! How:

•    Forgive as we have been forgiven—the centerpiece of the Gospel: Matthew 6:9–12: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Forgiveness must be ongoing as our Savior continues to forgive us! Therefore, we need patience and endurance.

•    Luke 6:27–28: “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

If we are to love our enemies, how much more our spouses!

If you persist in this love and forgiveness, even for those who do not deserve it—and that includes us—we find will that this creates a deeper bond, gratitude, and appreciation. It is like a broken bone, which will create a stronger bond once healed.

Paul therefore counsels:

•    Ephesians 5:25, 28: Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

We thrive when we live in love. So too our wives:

•    1 Peter 3:1–2 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

Trust me—it works. Just persevere knowing that you are also honoring our Lord!