Your Marriage Problem Isn’t What You Think It Is
By Justin Talbert
I slung an ugly comment at my already-infuriated wife as she retreated to the laundry room to distract herself by folding laundry.
Another evening. Another fight. What was it this time? Oh, she’d gotten onto me for not mowing the lawn.
Yeah, yeah. I had told her I’d do it. Sure, I’ll even admit she had brought it up level-headedly. But still. Can I not just chill? God rested, for cryin’ out loud. If He can chill, I can chill.
Right?
Actually, wrong. Totally different situations, me and God. While He intentionally rested after His labor to establish a healthy rhythm for humanity, I hadn’t lived up to my word and I’d shot anger-driven words of poison at my wife when I got exposed. Then, I self-justified my laziness by comparing myself to God.
I think Francis Chan got it right when he said, “Most marriage problems are not really marriage problems, they are God problems. They can be traced back to … a faulty understanding of Him. An accurate picture of God is vital to a healthy marriage.”
Simply put, bad theology creates bad marriages, because what we think about God impacts our attitude and actions. Last week’s fight, even if I hadn’t referenced God, started because of incorrect beliefs about God.
Right doctrine, therefore―and the application of it―is one of the most loving things we could ever extend to our spouse.
As our knowledge of the real, biblical Jesus increases, so does our day-by-day holiness. And that directly impacts the life of our spouse―and our marriage altogether.
This question, then, becomes imminently important: What are you doing today to fortify your theology, your accurate belief and practice of who God is?
There’s more than we realize on the line!
Husbands, how can you love your spouse like Christ loved the Church? Read “What Did Jesus Do?”
The Good Stuff: Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. (Psalm 119:129-133)
Action Steps: However you’re interacting with the Bible right now, increase it. Whether that’s starting over or going deeper―make the daily intake of God’s Word a priority in your life.
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