Love . . . bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
In an age of expendable relationships, marriages that "bear all things" are a rarity. Tragically, "bearing little" is the norm, even in most marriage relationships.
David and I have commented often that had we not moved away from our hometown, we might not have made it as a married couple. A key reason was the prevalence of fragmented relationships that surrounded us. There was no evidence of "bearing all things" in the marriages that served as our models.
Recently some good friends of ours shared with us their burden for three couples living near them in their apartment complex. One unmarried couple lived together, too afraid of commitment to get married. Another couple, married for two years, had recently separated for four months and had just gotten back together. Still another married couple was trying marriage for the second time. Each of these couples seemed to have the impression that marriage is expendable. That created a lack of trust in each of the relationships.
A lack of trust will destroy any marriage. You need to be able to depend on the commitment of your spouse. Yes, David and I have deeply hurt each other, and we will probably hurt each other again in the future. But we don't give up in the face of our pain. We are committed to keeping our marriage commitment. Neither of us will be leaving.
David and I are in our marriage for the long haul, no matter who does what to whom. When the hurts occur, we will do what needs to be done to heal them, then move on. That trust keeps our marital intimacy growing and thriving.
What will you and your spouse do today to build one another's assurance in your commitment to your marriage?
God, help my spouse and me to grow in our trust of each other and to remain committed to building that trust through good and bad times.
