Stay Committed

It seems, lately, that whenever I turn on the news or read the newspaper, I’m always shocked at the broadcasts of the day.  Just when I think things can’t get any worse – they do.  I shouldn’t be surprised, though.  God’s Word speaks over and over about what to expect in the end times.

The problems people face these days also seem to be at a greater intensity.  Everyone is dealing with some major issue in their lives.  Finances, illness, rebellious children and troubled marriages are just a few of the culprits.  As Christians, we need to remember that we’re not alone in our sufferings and continue to reach out to others, even when our own problems overwhelm us.

I Peter 4:12-13 tells us, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed."

 

How do you stay positive and rejoice at your trials in the midst of a troubled marriage?  This is where your true test of faith comes.  In a society that is so quick to discard anything that interferes with joy, whether it be a spouse, a relative, or even a house that has lost its value, we need to commit to continuing no matter the cost.

To commit to your marriage means to sometimes experience suffering (for better or for worse) and not giving up because of it.  We aren’t promised happiness and ease on this earth; we have to figure them out on our own.  God uses the rough times to develop our character and our faith. Through our suffering we become better people and stronger warriors for the kingdom.  Our marriages become more resilient to future attacks of the enemy.  We just have to stick it out and not quit.  Stay committed.

As we face, what I believe to be, the end times, we will only experience more suffering.  I pray that God will rapture us and spare us the nitty-gritty, but I’m not counting on that.  We need to get serious about our faith and our beliefs.  In a society where our Christian rights are being taken away, we need to learn to stand firm.

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Now, more than ever, we need strong marriages.  We need to focus on the daily battles of the world that will affect our future, not whether our spouse is making us happy.  I believe that the downfall of marriages and families is a major cause of the problems we now face in our society.  Satan has attacked us at the core.  He wants nothing more than to tear apart our marriages and our families.  That will destroy our country.

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I Peter 4 verse 19 says, "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

If we stay firmly committed to God and His plans for us and for this world, our personal problems become minor as we look at the big picture God intends for all of us.  We are put on this world to reach out to others.  Marriage problems distract us from God’s plan and from any ministry He desires for us.  We can’t get so caught up in our own problems that we miss out on helping others.  Then the devil will win.  So stay committed – to God and to your spouse.