Dress for Success... In Marriage

     The best way to put a marriage relationship to death is to see it as a means to fulfill your desires. Marriage isn’t about “me.” Marriage is about “us.”  The only way to make an “us” is to realize that our “earthly nature” desires to be right, surrendering to the desire to be vindicated when we have been hurt or wronged. That mentality boils down to putting self ahead of all, which is idolatry, and focusing on how we can get our perceived needs met above all else (Colossians 3:5). This is the way Satan wants our marriages to be, because relational sickness and death brings anguish to the One who loves us so much that He gave it all so we could be transformed and our relationships could be as He desired from the beginning.

     Paul asks us to strip ourselves of that behavior and thought pattern and instead “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you and over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

    So, what is the outcome of changes from the old way of thinking to the new? A love that leads to a longing to submit to one another, a compassion that teaches and guides children with patience and gentleness, and heaps of God’s grace that helps us to become someone that we never dreamed we could be. That grace also picks us up and dusts us off and bids us to try again each time we fall short of God’s standard. Never give up! Your family is worth your effort!

"Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged... 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, 

as working for the Lord, not for men,

 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

 It is the Lord, Christ you are serving."  

Colossians 3:18-21, 23

  God, don’t let us settle for the standard of living, designed to better fit our reality, leaving us trapped in messy and unfulfilled relationships, but open our eyes to see what we could have if we follow Your design for our marriages which brings peace, joy, and an outpouring of Your grace. Remind us that in all our relationships you are there receiving whatever we dish out. Amen!