Article Display
Email  |  My Account  |  Donate
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?  (Amos 3:3)

Writing the story of "us" with a happy ending to a marriage seems to be a greater challenge every decade. It is little wonder that a large percentage of people are unwilling to "tie the knot" at a marriage altar. The fact is that the number of broken hearts and homes is absolutely out of control, and it isn't an isolated phenomenon. It's all over the world. Marriage has fallen upon hard times with as many or more marriages failing as those that succeed, and even for those who remain married, a large percentage of men and women relate to each other like roommates instead of couples who dearly love each other. Intimacy has gone out the window, being replaced by stress, schedules that take each other different directions, compounded by bone-tiredness.
 
Couples enter into marriage with different expectations. Some brides expect their husbands to be the knight in shining armor who sweeps her off her feet and provides for her like the daughter of a king.  From day one on, there are two problems: She is not Cinderella and he is not Prince Charming. The problem with your marriage, sir, is that you married a sinner, and the fact is that your mate married one too.
 
Marriage, at its best, is not without challenges. Saying, "I do" does not transform a dysfunctional individual into a caring, compassionate one. In fact, marriage can bring out both the best and the worst of any two people.
 
How do you write the story of "us" with a happy ending?  In our next three commentaries, I'll share with you ten ingredients that will result in a "happy ending" to your marriage. Let's get started.
 
The first ingredient that goes into a marriage with a happy ending is a steadfast, unwavering commitment to each other. Divorce or annulment is not a problem-solving technique, but understanding that marriage is two flawed individuals who can accept the unique differences of the other with the realization that each completes the other. Never was it God's purpose for two to compete-to strive to dominate the other-but to become one flesh, one in spirit, and one in spiritual union. The statistics are that there is one broken home in 300 marriages when a couple go to church regularly, read God's Word and pray together every day. The secret of this kind of marriage is that each lives for the other and both live for the Lord.
 
There is time for me to simply give you the second ingredient: To write the story of "us" with a happy ending, you need to understand God's plan and purpose for marriage. Remember the Bible uses the term one flesh five times to describe God's purpose for marriage. This means the mindset of our culture and world stands in dire contrast to what God wants. Our culture says, "If you aren't near the one you love, love the one you are near." It's selfish, independent, and individualistic, but God's plan is togetherness, love, mutual dependence, and corporate unity. 

God's intention was for marriage to be a relationship of equals—not that of a master and a slave—with each fulfilling their obligation to the other. Remember, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples in the Upper Room and said, "Happy are you, if you do these things!" Each living for the other and both for the Lord produces "happy endings" to the story of "us" and our marriage."



Copyright © Harold Sala/ Guidelines International Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Author Biography

Harold J. Sala
Web site: Guidelines International Ministries
 
Speaker, author and Bible teacher, Dr. Harold Sala founded Guidelines in 1963 and has served at its helm since its inception. Pioneering the five-minute commentary in Christian radio, Dr. Sala’s daily “Guidelines-A Five Minute Commentary on Living” is broadcast in 49 of the 50 states and is heard the world over in a variety of languages. Sala, who holds a Ph.D. in biblical text, has authored over 55 books published in 19 languages. He speaks and teaches frequently at conferences, seminars, and churches worldwide. Residing in Mission Viejo, California, Harold and his wife, Darlene, have three adult children and eight well-loved grandchildren.
Read more...

About Us

The online ministry of cfaith has been helping people discover faith, friends and freedom in the Word since 2000. Cfaith provides a unique and comprehensive collection of faith-building resources for the worldwide faith community.

At cfaith, you can strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of the Word of God by digging into the vast collection of teaching articles, streaming audio and video messages, and daily devotionals. No other website offers such a unique and extensive collection of spiritual-growth resources aimed at helping you grow in your knowledge of the Word.

Read More...

 

 

Support Us

Why support cfaith?


(All contributions are 100% tax deductible)


SUPPORT CFAITH WITH ONE CLICK!

For every Internet search you make using
goodsearch, cfaith will receive one penny!

GS Logo 250x38

Contact Us

Business Hours:


Monday—Friday: 9 a.m.—5 p.m. CST
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Phone:

(763) 488-7800 or (800) 748-8107

Mailing Address: 

CFAITH.com
9201 75th Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

 

Login Form

Please ignore the “Secret Key” field; it is not needed to log in to cfaith.

Login Change Article

Spring360x442
You need to enable user registration from User Manager/Options in the backend of Joomla before this module will activate.