If you’re married, you probably know the feeling that comes when the honeymoon ends and reality hits.  Many husbands and wives then ask, “What have we gotten ourselves into?”  When we first “fall in love,” raging hormones and emotional highs transform reality into romanticism and even idealism.  Added to all of this, is the romantic spin that media puts on everything that is even remotely related to love, sex, and marriage.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with a little romance and idealism — as long as they don’t blind us to the reality of everyday married life.  So for our marital reality check we must turn to the book of Ecclesiastes.  This inspired wisdom book weaves together three major themes that directly connect us with reality from the divine perspective.  It is like three strands to a powerful cord.  All three strands must be tightly woven together or the whole book will unravel.

"A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart"   (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

So what are these three strands of reality that will help a married couple face factual reality and not some kind of virtual reality? 

Reality Strand 1: Life can be very difficult and perplexing.

"Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness" (Ecclesiastes 3:16).

When we first fall in love, romantic love has a way of blinding us to life as it really is in a fallen world.  Yes, it is true that Jesus said to His disciples, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).  But He also said to them, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33).

Life can be hard at times, even destructive.  Disappointments descend. Frustrations abound.  Only when a married couple embraces this first reality, will they be able to trust God for all the good things that He has for them.

Reality Strand 2: Ultimately God will right all wrongs.

“God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed” (Ecclesiastes 3:17).

“God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether is it good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

In our marital journey, with all of its difficulties and perplexities, many of us have been wronged by others and experienced injustice.  This can be very taxing on the husband or wife who desires justice for their spouse.

But we can rest assured, knowing that in the long run, if our just cause is not dealt with fairly in this life, it certainly will be in the next.  Good will ultimately prevail.  The Enemy may have the latest word, but God will have the last word!