A reason for Hope in your military marriage

If you’ve spent anytime in the military as a married couple you know what it means to have “seasons” in your life when nothing seems to go right. It is no secret that many military marriages have struggled over the past decade.  In fact the divorce rate among military couples has risen 40% in the last decade alone. How do you respond when tough times come? Do you throw your hands up and give up and live a defeated life, or do you have the mindset that God will restore your situation?

 

Read: John 21:1-19

 

The story of Peter’s failure and sub-sequent restoration gives us tremendous encouragement. Jesus knew that Peter would fall short, but He had specifically prayed for the disciple’s faith not to fail. The Lord also told Peter ahead of time that failure would not be the end of his story – he would stand up again and be used to strengthen the other disciples.

 

Pay attention here, Notice an important distinction: Peter failed; he wasn’t a failure. Our Enemy wants us to view our failures as part of our identity rather than something that has resulted from our actions. But the truth is that we belong to God, and our shortcomings can actually prepare us to be used more greatly by Him. In His hand, such times in our lives are tools to push our walk forward in great leaps. In order for the Lord to mold Peter (and possibly you or your spouse) into the leader of strength and humility he’d soon become, the disciple’s heart needed to undergo purification by being broken.

 

When we build walls around our heart to deny God access, we are resisting much-needed brokenness and healing. If we want to see the Lord use us and strengthen our marriage, we must allow Him to get rid of the “chaff” (the bad stuff) that prevents us from reaching our maximum potential.

 

Amazingly, failure can be the catalyst that moves us to a whole new vision of what God is doing in our lives. He can utilize our missteps to bring into focus His plans and purposes for our life. The result will be glory to Him and blessing to us.

 

So be encouraged if your life and marriage are being rocked by a season of rough times.  There is hope for you. Turn to God and trust in Him.  For He cares about you and wants what’s best for you and your marriage.

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