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Marriage is Easy
I know, I know…I’ve heard the arguments. Yes, yes, I get it…I’m a newlywed and couldn’t possibly have any idea what I’m talking about. Agreed, agreed…I’m a rash and opinionated young man with no brain whatsoever. Disagree with me, fine. Blog about it. I don’t care. It’s just my opinion anyway, don’t get your stomach in a knot. But I’m gonna say it anyway…
MARRIAGE is EASY!
I attended service at Forestview in Burlington this week. Great church, for all your Burlington/Oakville people, check it out. The speaker was Mike Stone, a dude so awesome that after I heard him speak at a wedding two weeks ago, I had to make the drive to check out his church. We’re so glad we went. The topic was divorce.
Mike preached a great message, from the heart, basically notes-free. (for all you preachers and speakers, you know what I’m talking about!) At one point in the message, he asked anyone to raise their hand if they thought marriage was easy. No one in the room did. I started to raise mine. Michelle grabs my arm and yanked it down! (It’s obviously been much harder for her…understandably!) Truth is, she was just embarrassed.
I’ll say it again- marriage is easy.
Think about it…you get to spend every single day with the person that you love more than anyone else in the entire world! You get to entertain together. Travel together. Work together. Raise a family together. Do life together! What’s so hard about that?!
We need to change our mindset: MARRIAGE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE HARD!
(now here’s the big catch that ya’ll have been waiting patiently for!)
But marriage WILL be hard if you choose to stay selfish, unforgiving, quick to anger, bitter, and self-serving. In fact, it’ll be downright difficult. Marriage will be a touch battle if you choose to make it about YOU and constantly blame your spouse for all your problems. You’re in this together, remember?
So here’s my point: Marriage is easy. Giving up your rights is hard.
With this in mind, consider my newly minted “Joyful Marriage Thesis”:
“If you consistently walk with God and practice selflessness, servanthood, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control…marriage will be easy.”
Life is hard. Marriage shouldn’t have to be.
Jay
