4 Ways God’s Unfailing Love Helps a Hurting Marriage - Crosswalk Couples Devotional - February 21
4 Ways God’s Unfailing Love Helps a Hurting Marriage
By Jennifer Waddle
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. - 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT
We’ve probably all been to a wedding where the well-known “love chapter” of the Bible was quoted. Found in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, the passage describes love as being patient and kind, not jealous, boastful, or proud. It’s a beautiful encouragement, not only for newlyweds, but for couples of all ages and stages.
However, this chapter doesn’t address how we should handle situations when human love fails. Especially in marriage, how do we keep the Bible’s characteristics of love alive when our circumstances are contrary to such love?
If you are in the midst of a painful season in your marriage, please be encouraged today. There is a love that casts out all fear. A love that never loses faith. A love that endures.
This perfect love was displayed by Christ Jesus, as he hung on a cross bearing the weight of the world’s sin. It’s the love that rose again, defeating death once and for all. And, it’s a love produced by the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Such love never gives up.
So, how does this deeper-kind-of-love apply to our marital trials? Does Christ’s love automatically take away the sting of hurt and rejection?
The love of the Lord may not prevent us from experiencing intense trials and the emotions that follow, but His love can and will get us through. In fact, the unfailing love of the Lord can help us do the following:
1. His Love Allows Us to Approach the Trial with Peace and Clarity.
Initially, we may feel intense emotions of anger and sadness. However, God’s love enables us to approach every situation covered in His peace. When we take some time to seek His help, He gives us clarity to take the next steps.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. - Isaiah 26:3
2. His Love Helps Us Forgive Our Spouse
Forgiveness may take a while, especially if there is no repentance from the offending spouse. However, the all-consuming love of the Father can bring us to a place of forgiveness.
Some say that forgiveness is beneficial to the one offering it because it releases them from bitterness and resentment. While that’s true, it’s also beneficial to our relationship with the Lord. Allowing God’s great love to work through us, towards forgiving our spouses, draws us closer to Him.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4:31-32
3. His Love Enables Us to See Our Spouse as God Sees Them
The descriptions of love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 are descriptions of true love—the love God created. As we read through them, we begin to view things differently, even when our spouse has failed us. Seeing our spouses through the lens of God’s love, softens our hearts towards reconciliation and restoration.
“[Love] does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” - 1 Corinthians 13:5
4. His Love Helps Us Endure with Hope
Of all the beautiful promises found in God’s love, hope is at the top of the list. We have hope through every painful trial. The Lord can restore even the most broken of marriages when they are committed to Him.
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience… - Colossians 1:9-11
A Prayer for Your Marriage:
Heavenly Father, I pray for each person reading this today, that they will be filled with Your love. I ask, Lord, that you cover them with peace, no matter what they are going through. Please strengthen their marriage by giving them clarity, forgiveness, endurance and love. We trust You, Lord. I pray these things in the precious name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Jennifer Waddle considers herself a Kansas girl, married to a Colorado hunk, with a heart to encourage women everywhere. She is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesn’t Win. She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.
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