Biblical Answer

Struggling in Your Relationship: A Call to Persevere

When faced with the challenges of marriage, it's easy to feel like giving up. The difficulties can be overwhelming, and the thought of persevering can seem like an insurmountable task. However, the Bible encourages us to persevere, even in the midst of struggle. In Galatians 6:2, we are reminded to "bear one another's burdens" and to "carry each other's loads." This is not a call to enable or rescue our partner, but rather to work together to navigate the difficulties that come our way.

As we strive to be good partners, it's essential to recognize that our struggles are not necessarily a reflection of our partner's shortcomings, but rather our own. The enemy of our souls seeks to destroy our relationships, and one of the most effective ways to do this is to get us to focus on our partner's weaknesses rather than our own. Instead, we should take time to do an inventory of our partner's difficulties, rather than their shortcomings. This allows us to approach the situation with compassion and empathy, rather than criticism and judgment. As we work together, we can pray for God's help, asking Him to take our selfishness, impatience, and irritability and turn them into kindness, long-suffering, and the willingness to bear one another's burdens.

In the midst of struggle, it's essential to remember that our relationship is not a reflection of our own worth or value. We are not defined by our marriage, and our worth is not tied to our partner's actions or responses. Instead, we are called to respond to our partner with kindness, love, and compassion, even when they are not responding in the same way. This is not always easy, but it is a call to persevere, to work together, and to seek God's help in the midst of struggle. As we do, we can trust that God is working in our lives, transforming us and our relationship, and bringing us closer to Himself. The Bible reminds us that "love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7). This is the kind of love that we are called to cultivate in our relationships, even in the midst of struggle. By persevering, working together, and seeking God's help, we can build a stronger, more resilient relationship that reflects the love of Christ.