Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:35,37
Every good marriage eventually bumps into something bad.
It may be infertility, financial debt, emotional turmoil, or even something as earth shaking as infidelity.
Problems are inevitable. No couple is immune.
And once a couple runs into some serious bad things they are not likely to recover quickly. Not generally, anyway. Slow progress is the typical course; steadily building one marriage accomplishment upon another, like a game that is won one play at a time, or a building that is built brick by brick.
Smart couples don’t expect the world to fall into their laps. It never has. But somewhere deep in the soul of every marriage, a husband and wife will find what Orison Marden calls their “slumbering powers.”
These astonishing powers, when awoken, will rise up, look bad fortune in the face, and begin to revolutionize their relationship.
It may be a gradual revolution, but it is a trust-building, heart-healing, love-renewing revolution, just the same.
A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose – a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve. –John Maxwell
We’ve been on a quest for some time to discover what good couples do right in the midst of battling their calamities. And among other things, we found that these couples do at least two things:
- Good Couples Take Responsibility for the Good as well as the Bad. They don’t believe their problem rests with the other person. They don’t waste their time pointing out each other’s flaws and foibles. They admit their own mistakes so their partner doesn’t have to.
- Good Couples Believe that Good Wins Over Bad. They plant a seeding of hope in their relationship and allow its tiny roots, in time, to sprout optimism. And that optimism about their future together gives them a picture they can hang on to even in tough times.
This very short list is a tall order for mere married mortals, but, with God’s help, it is within reach.
Reflect and Respond
How have the two of you found your “slumbering powers” to help your good marriage get through through something bad?
Go ahead, tell us in the comments.
Related Resource
Learn how marriages can thrive when couples use everyday difficulties to strengthen their relationships! This book will show you the most common sources of marital discord; the fine line between obstacles and opportunities; the importance of accepting the two sides of sex and intimacy; and the five not-so-easy steps for solving problems.
Lupita and I have this believe that we employ when we encounter difficulties: We know that in our hearts there is no bad intention. We have faced many challenges and struggles but we know that deep in our hearts it was not done from a place of malice or to hurt the other person. “we have good intention in our hearts for each other” this believe has helped us tremendously in our almost 23 years of marriage.
Juan and Lupita, what a wonderful mindset to have of each other. It’s actually more practical than the article. Mountains can be moved.
It’s always amazed me how God works when we pray. How He changes hearts, minds, attitudes, and vision. We have seen Him work in mighty ways over many years (43) of marriage. Thank you for your devotionals…they are a blessing!
Marriage being on of the greatest contract ever written, it goes to show it requires our best. Hannah said it best in 1 Samuel 2: 2 There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none besides thee: neither is there any rock like our God. (KGB).
Loving our mate takes prayer, commitment, and discipline over a lifetime. Enjoying a loving marriage is less about how we feel, and more about the commitment we share with one another.
Thanks Dr. Parrott (Mr. & Mrs.) for sharing your life with others through medians of books. Be Blessed!
RE:Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott How to Overcome Tough Times in Your Marriage – Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott НПП Валок Наплавка рабочих валков
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