Faith in Marriage
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom 10:17 ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Heb 11:1 ESV)
Do you remember playing the childhood game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey? When I was young, we enjoyed this crazy game at birthday parties.
Here’s how it went.
Picture a pin-up of a donkey on wall, a child is blindfolded, and then given a paper donkey tail with a pin attached. The child is spun around and told to go find the donkey. The group of kids who are watching try to help by calling out directions. “It’s over there! Turn left! Now right. Yes, go forward! Now push the pin. Yay, you did it!”
And then the next girl was blindfolded and spun around. You probably recall that the person who attached the tail closest to the donkey’s behind was declared the winner.
With no visual cues to follow, every little girl was forced to rely on her ears to tell her how to reach the donkey. Sightless, she had to put her faith in the words she was hearing to guide her toward the goal.
Not Blind Faith
So it is with spiritual faith. Scripture admonishes us to place our trust not in the things that are seen—physical reality—but in things that are heard—the very Words of God. When we listen to His direction as revealed in Scripture, we are promised not only everlasting life in the world to come, but fruitful abundance in this present life.The same principles apply to marriage. Over thirty years ago, e-Dad and I entered into marriage as if we were blindfolded. Both our parents had divorced when we were teens, and therefore had been unable to teach us about how to succeed in a relationship with the opposite sex.
Without an “inner template” or healthy role models to follow, e-Dad and I knew we were handicapped from the outset. We knew our risk for marriage failure was very high.
Faith in the Word of God
However, we had a great hope. As believers, we were confident we would find adequate counsel in the Bible to help us grow into our new roles as husband and wife. Over time, we studied and applied all the Scripture lessons we could find. And now, after many years together, we think it’s likely that some day we'll make it to our golden anniversary. What a blessing!
Do you come from a home broken by divorce? Even if you don’t,
I encourage you to put your full faith in the God of the Bible. Let God’s Spirit speak to you the pages of His Word, which is living and active (Heb 4:12).
I guarantee you will find help and counsel in your times of marital stress and need. To God be the glory.
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecc 4:12 ESV)
Related: Can this (Royal) Marriage be Saved?
Graphics: Google Images
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Today’s Topic: Faith. If you would like to link a post for Marriage Monday, take a minute to read the introduction to our topic. What advice would you give to a young couple about to be married? Do you have any special insights that you would like to pass on to others?
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13 Comments:
You've showed it is possible even as children of divorce. Thanks for setting the example of putting your marriage in the Creator of the Universe's hands!!
I too am a product of divorce and didn't have a healthy role model in which to learn from regarding marriage. In fact, I was divorced twice before I married Dave and we'll be married 25 years this November. Although we have had a healthy marriage and have lived that out in front of our 4 children, 2 of our daughters are either divorced or in the process of divorcing. It shows me that environment while it DOES play a part, free will can never be dismissed. Our children have seen as well as heard, that our faith in God and our trust in Him, is what makes our marriage a success.
Like most parents I wish I could stop my children from making mistakes and getting hurt, I imagine that God feels the same way about us! My faith has to be my own and our children have to do the same, make faith their own and not ride on our coat tails.
My post is up and trust me, FAITH is as crucial to me right now as the air that I breathe!
Hugs,
Connie
This is a lovely, wise post - thank you so much for hosting Marriage Monday!
It is just such a big thing, marriage, there is no way we can have our eyes wide open to it all when we marry. It is so good that there IS faith to rely on when we start facing some of the things that make marriage so hard.
but in things that are heard—the very Words of God.
Amen. If it wasn't for this very lesson and the Word of God, I would not be where I am in my wonderful marriage.
Great post and always, thank you for hosting MM. Love you.
Hi e-Mom
Love your use of 'pin the tail' to describe your early days of journeying! I guess we can all relate in some way or another.
I'm just grateful that God's grace allows faith and love to grow to newer heights as we 'grow up'.
Love & Blessings!
Great topic!
As a child of divorce, I did 2 things that I think contributed to our successful marriage:
1) prayed about the right guy - and then in marriage, when I was hurt and frustrated prayed for God to show me how to handle the situation
2) Met with the older women in the church at their Tuesday morning coffees at McDonalds or Hardees to learn appropriate expectations of my marriage - like, "Do you ever stop getting mad?" - lots of laughs over that one!
this was such a great post...I'm so sorry I can't write for Marriage MOnday for the next couple of months. I can begin again in July when my life starts to slow down...these last 8 weeks of school are very hectic. Thank the Good Lord I only teach part time!! (plus we have the oldest graduating from high school and the 12 yr old graduating from elementary school).....so...I WILL be back to participate in July and august for sure :)
I can't ever seem to get my act together to join.
I am not, neither is my husband, a product of divorce. We both came from believing households and were taught of the Lord from the beginning of our life, however, I think sometimes that can make you too passive! It is just easy to say, "well everyone before me had life long marriages, so will we"...so I think sometimes coming into the marriage knowing you have odds against you might give you an advantage of learning to fight for your marriage from day one.
I am watching divorces right now more than I wished...all came from non-divorced families...so sad, maybe they took it for grant.
Great post as always!!
Kim, Constance, April, Mac an, Lynn, Lisa Maria, Harter, Blue Cotton Memory, Faith and Janette: Thank you for taking the time to comment. May your marriages be greatly blessed of the Lord. Hugs, e-Mom ღ
what a wonderful, hopeful testimony. Really appreciated the connection between faith and hearing, vs. seeing. I once won a blindman tractor contest at the county fair that same way!
By the way, if you would be so kind, could you share the process for obtaining permission to use Disney images such as Eeyore? thanks!
TTCW:Thanks for stopping by. I'm currently on an extended blogging break as we move out of state. Knee-deep in boxes!
As for the donkey, I simply performed a random google search in "images" for "pin the tail on the donkey" and this one came up. Sorry, I can't be of further assistance to you.
Blessings, e-Mom ღ
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