When I read the scriptures in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, I consider it a good description of the way I want to love my husband and be loved back, but honestly loving unconditionally is challenging for everyone and at times it seems impossible to love like that. How many times have I been irritated or kept a record of wrongs? Ahem, too many to count. The word love from this scripture is translated from the Greek word Agape. The Apostle Paul uses the word Agape to describe love. A Love that is a gift from a perfect and loving God who loves us unconditionally and sacrificially. God’s way to love is an example to us, something to be imitated. Even though we stumble loving one another, we are taught here in these verses to strive in His strength to courageously love.

It wasn’t even a year of marriage, when suddenly I sensed distance in my relationship with my husband; I felt my new groom slipping away. I didn’t know what had a hold on him except that at that time he was struggling with a career change that didn’t quite fit, and he was contending through some discouragement. I tried to be helpful like any caring bride would. Yet the more I tried, the more he pulled away, and in the months that followed, I learned that my husband was habitually looking at pornography.

 Surprised and disappointed, I felt my heart being broken and betrayed. Pornography had crept into our lives, and sadly our culture tends to accept this behavior as if it’s normal and no big deal. Folks, it is a big deal, and the Bible tells us so. The Bible says to stay away from such behavior like pornography because God loves us, and he is always wants to protect us from the dangers of sin. ” Flee from sexual immorality…” (1 Corinthians 6:18). Pornography does not express love, but rather shines light on the selfish lusts of the flesh. It’s a habit that will distance us from God, will steal trust from marriages, and corrupts good character.

 For a season trust was broken, and our marriage weakened, but over time all was restored as God refined His ways in us. Trying to recover from the hurt the situation caused wasn’t something we could do on our own. You see, God is the one who designed marriage, blessed it, and predestined man and woman to be together. Going to God is the best anyone can do for their marriage no matter what the issue.

While marriages will always have challenges to face, marriage will also always be one of the special places where the deepest of love can flourish. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24 ESV). Marriage is a powerful example of what love is. Even though many issues and the enemy will work tirelessly to tear down marriages, the struggle for our hearts, marriage unity in Christ, and relying on God is worth the effort. ” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood…(“Ephesians 6:12).

Dear God, regardless of where we are in our marriages, where we’ve been and the various issues that we may be sorting through. We just give ourselves, our spouses over to you for your glory. We ask to be restored and to grow from pain we have or have caused others. God, we humble our hearts before you, so that we can see clearly and be healed mightily.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Related Post: 

One Man’s Battle for Purity