Bear With One Another

Are you going through a trial right now in your marriage?

I know that many have had a really tough year.

This is a wonderful timely reminder for all:

"Remember still that you are both diseased persons, full of infirmities; and therefore expect the fruit of those infirmities in each other; and make not a strange matter of it, as if you had never known of it before.

If you had married one that is lame, would you be angry at her for limping? Or if you had married one that had a putrid ulcer, would you fall out with her because it stinketh?

Did you not know beforehand, that you married a person of such weakness, as would yield you some manner of daily trial and offense?

If you could not bear this, you should not have married her; if you resolved that you could bear it then, you are obliged to bear it now.

Resolve therefore to bear with one another; as remembering that you took one another as sinful, frail, imperfect, persons, not as angels, or as blameless and perfect."

~ Richard Baxter 1615-1691

Here are a few encouraging words from an earlier post titled 'Don't Give Up on Your Marriage':

Are you not happy in your marriage?

Are you feeling like you want to leave?

It is easy to feel discontent in a marriage, especially in this day and age.

We need to remember that our husbands can fall short and are not perfect. 

In the same way that we are not perfect and can't be that to our husbands.

God did not intend for us to be that.

In fact, the only one that is perfect and can fill that gaping void in our hearts is God and Him alone.

When discontentment creeps up on us we must remember to be wise: 

Are we comparing him to others?

Are we thinking upon things that we shouldn't?

Are we getting angry for no reason?

Are we putting our "feelings" first? 

(Remember, the heart is deceitful and can fluctuate from one moment to the next.)

Are we actively building up our homes or tearing them down, in our actions and in our thought life?

Often times a marriage can be saved and turned around with God, prayer, and a willing heart. 

Don't give up on your marriage--there are many out there that can be changed. There have been many challenging marriages that have been fully restored.

And most of all, God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16).

It affects the home, the children, and grandchildren. 

It can have a ripple effect through generations!

Forgive your husband, if needed, and always guard against bitterness. 

And please, seek biblical counseling if needed. 

We know Satan prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). 

Ladies, don't let him devour your marriage -

Be wise and guard your home!

* We know we can't speak to every situation. This post is not intended for woman who are being abused. Please make sure you are safe, get help, and biblical counseling if this is happening to you!