Hubs here.
“I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)
You are exactly where you need to be. Do you believe that? Good, bad, happy, sad, exciting, boring … whatever stage your life is at; you are there for a reason. In the context of marriage, God has a specific plan for you and your spouse. It is an amazing, incredible, and marvelous plan, but there’s plenty of frustration, sadness, heartache, and pain built in. Why would that be?
Growth is not really a fun thing. It can be exciting, but that excitement often turns to boredom, frustration, and sometimes pain. Yet, that struggle is necessary in order to be better, smarter, wiser, kinder, more compassionate … the list goes on. You are not necessarily trying to grow in all those ways, but growth is an important part of marriage. It helps us deepen our knowledge of life and understanding of our spouse.
There is a specific, perfect purpose for the current state of your marriage. That doesn’t mean your marriage is perfect. In fact, it may mean that your marriage is extremely imperfect at the moment. It may be painful, heart wrenching, and difficult, but there is a blessing in the storm. Take heart in the fact that you are constantly growing, and if you are open to the thought that there is a greater purpose for current hardships, that struggle can be used for good in your life, marriage, and in the lives of others.
This is somewhat of an oversimplified concept and many couples are enduring tremendously difficult situations. My intention is not to minimize that pain with an eight paragraph fix. However, I firmly believe that you must experience frustration, hardship, and pain to grow. Maybe the lesson you need to learn is patience, kindness, or forgiveness. Maybe it’s understanding selfless love, sacrifice, or humility. Maybe the lesson is self-worth, dignity, or confidence. Maybe twenty years from now a couple will experience the hardship you are currently enduring, and you will be the mentor that saves their marriage.
We could spend hours and hours listing the potential reasons for current situations, but there is a larger question: will you choose to see your struggles as opportunities for growth, or will you view them as disheartening obstacles?
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 2-4 (NIV)
Whether you feel like you have the most ordinary, unique, or tumultuous marriage, your relationship is exclusively designed to better you, your spouse, and those around you. “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds”… crazy, right? Maybe crazy is exactly what you need.
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Good point. It really helps to keep struggles in perspective. Thanks hubs!
Good insight. Troubles are certainly not ideal but you really do need them in order to grow.
Greatest article ever!
I totally agree with Erin’s comment!! Thank you too!!! :o)
Great article. I constantly need to be reminded that He is God………and I’m not. He is in control……and I’m not.
Good article. Im printing it and sharing it with my friends.
I am very inspired by this article! It reminds me that everything happens for a reason and to be patient and everything will fall into place as it should.
I “liked” Foundation Restoration on FB 🙂
Great article! Very fitting for my current situation. Also, liked Foundation Restoration today. Had been a fan of Little Wifey – excited for the new
site!
excellent article. it was a very good reminder to me that im NOT incharge of my life and that god is. thanks again for the article. ive liked it on fb.
Good article, I really enjoyed it. I liked fr on facebook.
I totally agree, growth in marriage is not an easy catch. Trials make us stronger and wiser. Someone, as stated in Hubs, make come along later on who is going through a trial and if we have never been through what they are going through, how can we tell them anything. We just have to hold on and let God be God. In the words of Wess Morgan: “Troubles never last….”
I really enjoyed reading this article. I like on FB, follow on twitter!
Thanks so everyone for your great comments! We appreciate you joining us! Please continue to help spread the word about our resource and organiztion! Congratulations to our giveaway winner … Erin!
Erin, thanks for kicking off the conversation! You are right, this article does help keep struggles in perspective, which is nice since that’s difficult to do at times.
Anonymous, I agree! Troubles are challenging, but they are also an opportunity for growth! Thanks for sharing!
Peter Brady, glad you liked it! I must agree that my hubs is pretty incredible 🙂
Rebecca, thank you! That’s so kind of you to say, and I appreciate you stopping by!
Carol, thanks for the comment! I think that’s a constant reminder we all need; I know I certainly do! And, I don’t know about you, but I am thankful He is God and in control!
Jodi, that’s wonderful! Thank you for the kind words and sharing it!
Tia, I’m so glad this article was so inspiring to you! You are absolutely right that things happen for a reason, so it’s just a matter of holding on through those tough times. That can definitely be a challenge, but tough times really do make us stronger, better people if we allow them to.
Regina, thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! Glad that you enjoyed the article and found it to be beneficial for where you are at right now. Thank you for your support; we really appreciate you joining us and liking the Foundation Restoration Facebook page, Little Wifey’s new home 🙂
Rachel, thanks! Glad you liked it, and we appreciate yout support!
Jerry, thanks for sharing your thoughts! Trials are definitely a means of growth, improvement, and an experience we understand when someone else faces a related circumstance. Great quote. Thanks again for sharing!
Sara, thanks! So glad you liked it, and I appreciate your support!
Kara, thanks for the comment! Love hearing that you enjoyed it! Great quote you pulled out of it; I enjoyed it as well and think it’s something really important to remember and hold on to. Thank you for all of your support – commenting, liking our Facebook page, and joining our newsletter!
i liked this “your relationship is exclusively designed to better you, your spouse, and those around you.” this is amazing! thank you for another wonderful message. i like fr on fb, newsletter, and little wifey.