Marriage Under Attack

"Honey, isn't anyone happily married any more?" I said to Larry, my husband.  I had lifted the curtain above the bed in the bus just in time to see a woman opening the front door of her house.  She stood there in her long robe, face distorted, hollering as she threw something at her husband about 30 feet away.  He ducked to avoid being hit.  I dropped the curtain.

Later I discovered we had been invited to stay in that home during a two-day crusade!  "But, honey," I questioned, "they're Christians, aren't they?"

Never before have we seen Satan in such an all-out attack on the Christian home and marriage.  He is walking down the aisles of the church, filtering into each pew, attacking Christian families, deacons and teachers, and even the pastor.  Why is Satan attacking the Christians?  Because he knows he already has won the unsaved.  Now he is invading God's territory, causing depression, broken relationships, discouragement, lack of self-esteem and dissension within families.  Satan has pulled every trick out of his bag.  Why is this happening?  Hebrews 12:26-29 says, "At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."  The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken-that is, created things-so that what cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire'."

There is a shaking and shifting process going on.  Now more than ever our spiritual foundation is being tested.  Just to keep our marriage stable and to keep a happy working relationship, Larry and I realize we have enrolled in 24-hour "combat duty."  It takes all of our strength-spiritual and physical-to maintain a close family and to keep communication open between us.

           
Have you felt the attack as we have?  Maybe you are struggling in your marriage or family.  Before your marriage can be strengthened, there are three things you must be willing to do.

Number one, recognize and admit that problems in your marriage exist.  Don't try to fool yourself or others by avoiding your troubles; that only gives them a chance to grow.  Nip 'em now!

Number two, discover the root of your problems.  Do you have a problem between you and your mate, or do your problems involve outside pressures, such as a job, extra-curricular activities, or relatives?  Dr. James Dobson, host of the nationwide radio program "Focus on the Family," believes that one of the major causes of marital unrest is over commitment of time.  If outside pressures are bothering you, admit to your mate, "You're not the problem.  I'm just frustrated, and I'm taking it out on you.  Please forgive me."  But don't fail to recognize your real attacker; Satan is out to destroy your home.  John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full."  Satan is out to steal your family time and communication by outside jobs, activities, and television.  He wants to steal the peace and joy of your home and replace it with tension, frustration and cutting words.  He's trying to crack and destroy the home, the foundation of America.

Number three, start over.  Patch up the cracks.  I visualize myself as carrying around a pail of spiritual cement every day, and I pray that God will make me sensitive to the cracks that may be occurring in my marriage and family.  I cement them as quickly as I can.

The ingredients that are combined to make cement determine how strong the cement is and how long it will last.  So it is with the formula for spiritual cement.  Here is the formula that God has given us for our family's cement (which, by the way, has to be touched up every day).  Gather together and mix well:  unlimited forgiveness, large helpings of patience, an abundance of love and a truckload of trust.  Fold in bushels of respect for each other, lots of laughter and communication and pyramids of prayer.  Oh, and don't forget to add the most important ingredient, the constant input and application of God's Word.

If you put these ingredients into your "patching cement" and apply it daily to your marriage and family, you will be able to overcome the attacks of Satan.  It may not be easy, but the combination works.

           
If your marriage needs the power of God to help fill the cracks, please pray this prayer:

Almighty Father in heaven, we come to You with praise in our hearts for Your love, patience and faithfulness to us in our marriage, even when we are stubborn and rebellious and don't allow You to guide us.  Now, Father, we commit our minds, souls, spirits, bodies and our marriage to You, asking You to help rebuild our relationship with You and with each other.  Thank You, Lord.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Gloria Lundstrom