You And Me Forever: Marriage In Light Of EternitySample

"Weakness as an Advantage"

If you want to glorify God through your marriage, you’ll have to overcome your past failure.

If you’re living in a difficult marriage, this is probably not the first time you’ve tried to turn things around. Chances are, you’ve failed to achieve the results you wanted. That past failure may make you terrified to try again. Perhaps you’re feeling exhausted, weak, and inadequate.

But Paul tells us that we should rejoice in our weakness. In God’s strange way of doing things, weakness can actually be a benefit.

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul says that someone he knows was allowed to see a vision of God. He is probably speaking indirectly about himself here, because he next says that he was given a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him from becoming conceited with regard to this vision. We don’t know precisely what this “thorn” was, but Paul says that when he pleaded with God multiple times to remove the thorn, God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

You may think the struggle and inadequacy you are experiencing should excuse your ungodly thoughts and actions in your marriage. Yet Paul says that this is exactly when God empowers us. 

Every time you feel powerless, be reminded that strength comes from God. When you are weak, you are strong, because God’s grace is sufficient.

Discuss with your spouse: How could the weaknesses you are experiencing in your marriage point to God’s strength?