We even boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us. Romans 5:3-5 GNT
Comment:
All couples go through difficulties and disappoint each other. We start out trusting each other and it hurts when the other one lets us down. But it doesn’t alter the fact that we signed up for life with all the ups and downs.
Our life line is the hope of God’s love and commitment to us in our marriage. God’s love will never disappoint or fail us and from that firm foundation we can rebuild broken walls from our foolish and selfish decisions.
Even if we feel our love for our partner has been destroyed by their actions, we have the fact of God’s love poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is God’s gift to us. This is not religious theory but fact.
However, we need to act on it. Accessing God’s love for our marriage is not difficult. It just requires humility and prayer. His love is bigger and better than ours. Read 1 Corinthians 13 if you don’t believe me – it was probably read at your wedding!
The first stage is talking together.
The second stage is praying together. Can you do that?
Prayer (as a couple):
Father Your love does not disappoint and it is the foundation of our love for each other. Please Lord give us hope again for our marriage. Help us rebuild any broken walls. Help us day by day to re- build a bridge of trust again. Keep us full of your love which is stronger than ours Amen
Prayer (for others):
Lord God We pray for our community. Many marriages and partnerships break down when love fails. Yet your word says love never fails – it always perseveres and is even stronger than death. Lord this is your love. Pour out your love in our communities through your church. Help us to offer hope and strength to those who are struggling – not our hope or our strength, but the hope that comes through your gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Final quote:
Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. 1 Corinthians 13:7
