In an April 13, 2015 post by Shaunti Feldhahn on the Family Life Marriage Memo blog, she shared a wonderful insight she received from a man attending one of her lectures. She said he gave her 2 sentences that summarized everything she had to say that day …
There are two types of couples in this world. Those who want to work everything out before they commit, and those who want to commit to working everything out.
“Crossroads” photo by m_e_mccarron
These are profoundly wise words. If we think we have everything worked out when we get married, we’re doomed to disappointment, conflict and perhaps a failed marriage. No matter how much we try to plan and prepare for the perfect marriage, sin WILL get in the way.
However, the other route is to prepare for marriage by seeking God’s guidance in His way. Passages like Eph. 5:31 are the perfect place to start as they remind us that “a man will leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and the two will become one flesh.” This passage reminds us we must leave behind our selfish ways and commit to “hold fast” to each other no matter what. That means that WHEN our spouse lets us down and sins against us, we do not give up. Instead, we “hold fast” and “commit to working everything out” with God-given forgiveness and love. When a couple enters a marriage with this attitude, there will be nothing they can’t handle together by God’s power.
I recommit today to being one of those in the second group of couples. I’m praying you’ll join me if you’re married or preparing for marriage. Let’s also do all we can to guide the couples around us in the same way … to be a couple that is committed to working everything out in God’s way.