Fighting for Your Marriageنموونە

“It’s Your Turn”

Devotional Content:

I think marriage is like everything else important in life. Eventually we have to make a choice. It happens with the most important decision in this life when we choose whether or not to follow Christ. In marriage, we have to choose to be in or out. You can choose to just exist in a marriage but existing is really not a marriage - at least not the way God designed it.

No, at some point we have to say that we are committed for life and really mean it. We all say it at the altar but we all also know that only half of those commitments make it. I’m talking about in marriage with all you know about each other, saying, “I’m all in.” I’m all in today and tomorrow and all the tomorrows that follow. I’m all in because I believe what God can do in my marriage. I’m all in because He never gives up. I’m all in because I would rather fight every day with Him and Nancy for my marriage than anything else.

We made that decision in the sixth year of our marriage. We have never looked back. God has walked with us, carried us, taught us, dried our tears, laughed with us and celebrated with us. He was always there, just waiting for us to invite Him in. Once we did there are not enough words in the English language to tell all He has done, is doing, and will do. My prayer for each of you is that you would take that step and invite Him into the soul of your marriage today.

Today’s Challenge:

1. What does it mean to you to stand side by side with each other?

2. What differences come from joining hands with God?

3. These boxers in ring two gain strength as the fights go on. How does that happen?

Going Deeper:

In front of you are the two boxing rings. Ring One ends in the death of a marriage. In Ring Two you will fight together with God for your marriage for the rest of your lives. Which ring will you choose?

NEXT STEP:

Conflict in marriage is inevitable. But if we learn to handle it well, we can actually grow our relationship. Use this cheat sheet to troubleshoot your conflict and help it become healthier and more productive!