‘Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” ‘ Genesis 28:16(NLT)
‘I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”’ John 16:33(NLT)
‘Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’ 2 Corinthians 12:8-10(NLT)
‘Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ‘ 1 Peter 5:8(NLT)
Scripture: Genesis 28:16; John 16:33; 2 Corinthians 12:8–10; 1 Peter 5:8
No one likes to feel weak or powerless. Isn’t this one reason we shudder when a crisis hits? Who wants to face circumstances that are overwhelming, challenges that are crushing, obstacles that are staggering? We all prefer feelings of strength, competency, and being in command. But when a crisis comes, the only way through it is forward, ready or not. And not is how we usually feel at such times.
Joni Eareckson Tada writes, “My weakness, that is, my quadriplegia, is my greatest asset because it forces me into the arms of Christ every single morning when I get up.”
What is your greatest asset as a couple? Perhaps you are inclined to answer that question by thinking through your greatest strengths. Yet, as Joni points out, it is our weaknesses that drive us into the arms of Christ. And surely, there is no more powerful place to be than wrapped in the arms of our Lord and Savior.
In fact, the Bible makes it clear that something good can come of your feelings of weakness and powerlessness. Whatever your crisis, of this you can be certain: God is up to something. And even if the circumstances you must struggle through right now are horrific, the something he is up to is something good.
The simple truth is that life can pull the rug out from under your marriage. The enemy who prowls about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour is endlessly creative in finding ways to knock us down. Because, after all, if we’re spending all our time and energy trying to get back on our feet again from one setback after another, we’ll not have the energy or the concentration to look for the ways God wants us to grow and flourish—in life and in marriage.
Jesus gives us a promise in John 16:33—“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” There is no doubt that we can expect life to continue to make things difficult for us.
As distressing as many of the sudden challenges our marriages face are, they’re also a rich opportunity to grow together in strength and in wisdom. That’s what happens when you approach a crisis together, of one mind, bound together in a threefold cord.
Consider Genesis 28:16: “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” Can you think of times and ways in which God was at work in your life, in the midst of your crises, and you weren’t aware of it until later?
from Staying Power by Carol & Gene Kent and Cindy & David Lambert