Some marriages are confronted head-on with an obvious and devastating conflict, creating a crisis situation. But many marriages erode from within, fueled by debilitating lies. These lies are rooted in ignorance, selfishness, and fear. Assumptions about your mate and his or her intentions can produce bitterness and frustration in your heart. Left unchecked, they will rob you of joy and erode your marital bond. But for lie, there is a corresponding and liberating truth capable of sparking a marriage renewal.
Five Lies
Your internal dialogue shapes your heart and actions. Can you relate to any of these thoughts?
- Your spouse doesn’t care about you or your needs – Seeds of bitterness are in your heart.
- Some relationships just aren’t meant to work out – Doubt creeps into your mind.
- There is too much pain and bitterness to renew your marriage – Defeat overwhelms your spirit.
- Making a fresh start with someone else would be easier – A glimmer of false hope entices your imagination.
- If your spouse would change, then everything would be better – Self-centeredness blinds you to the real problems.
Bitterness, doubt, defeat, false hope and self-centeredness will exchange your gentleness for gruffness. Overtime, a wedge can be driven between your hearts and a widening gap appear in your relationship.
Five Truths
The lies that you rehearse in your mind, must be counteracted with truth. Consider the following statements of truth about your relationship.
- You and your spouse are both children of God – Identity comforts your heart.
- Your marriage can be renewed and refreshed – Hope resolves doubt.
- God chose your mate as a gift for you – Thankfulness refreshes your spirit.
- Your marriage’s success has a divine purpose – Purpose and impact expand the scope of your imagination.
- God can save any marriage – He changes hearts and restores lives.
By shifting your attention from a horizontal focus (my needs, my problems, my ego) toward a vertical focus (His plan, His purpose, His timing), hope is restored.
The Power of Marriage Renewal
The battlefield in your marriage is not an obvious one, it is a battlefield of the mind (Ephesians 6:11-12). You must counteract lies with truth. Throughout your relationship, you will encounter multiple times when you are in need of marriage renewal. Your marriage will need reflection and refreshment. During these times, you are faced with a choice:
- Choice 1: Believe lies that set my heart against my mate and toward my own selfishness
- Choice 2: Assume the best about my mate and embrace the truth of God’s goodness, marriage’s value, and the hope and power of marriage renewal.
Truth sets you free from the lies (John 8:31-32), equipping you to pursue marriage renewal with vigor.
The content in this post is adapted from our upcoming book (available on Amazon September 2014):
The Phoenix Marriage– Your most important earthly relationship can be restored, renewed, and reborn.
God makes beauty out of ashes.
To be among the first to know when the book is released, join our Marriage Booster newsletter.
Pingback: Our Marriage Testimony on Bring IT Radio - July 2013()
Pingback: Six ways to equip your mind for spiritual warfare()
Pingback: Two lists your marriage needs this Christmas()