i heard this song in the car today and immediately thought of 4 friends who are going through particularly trying times in their lives right now.

i first heard this song when my mom told me about it last year during a very trying time in my life.

the one common denominator of these struggles? marriage.
interesting, isn't it?
never before in my life have i understood so well the reality of Satan's rule of this world than since the day i said
"I Do". take a look at these words:

"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, ... So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, ... This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church." - Eph 5:22-25, 28-29, 32 NASB

do you see a correlation here??! marriage is a DIRECT representation of Christ's relationship with us, lived out in OUR lives. of COURSE Satan is going to attack those who are living God's grace and mercy out in their lives and honoring Him through their marriage relationships.

i find it very unnerving how there isn't more support for marriages within the church. the difficulties and disappointments are not spoken of- it ought to be taught from a young age that to be in a Christ-centered marriage is to be ready for battle! and we wonder why divorce is just as prevalent within the walls of our places of worship as it is outside of them? when will people step up to the plate and teach reality?! it hurts my heart SO much to see my friends struggling so. it ANGERS me to see the Enemy crushing their spirits and hopes telling them that they are failing, not good enough, made a mistake, not able to carry out their vows. LIES!

and yet, there IS hope! one of the most valuable things i have learned over the past couple years is that having a "good" marriage is no accomplishment but that STAYING married IS! not just for the sake of living up to other people's expectations or doing it because it's right but really understanding that marriage is not the point at all. but rather, our sanctification. we, as married partners being refined, changed, made more like Christ. in my experience, marriage is one big, fat chance to exemplify grace over and over and over and over and over... and over again. people that are married for 30, 40, 50+ years do not reach that point because they have been lucky and ended up in a good marriage. they are the warriors, the fighters, the persevering. that kind of milestone can ONLY be reached through a COMPLETE investment of heart and soul and strength and humility. and PRAYER. it does NOT just happen! it is blood, sweat, and tears to the hilt! it is not for the faint of heart or for those seeking a "feeling".

i'll bet that Christ sure didn't "feel" like going to the Cross to show His love for us!
in fact, i KNOW He didn't...

"And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." ... He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done." ... And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more." - Mat 26:39, 42, 44 NASB

and He was PERFECT.
that just gives you a little glimpse of what this is all about. everything within Christ did not want to die but what He did want was to be obedient to God's divine plan so that we would have an example of what TRUE LOVE is! THAT kind of love is what marriage is intended to reflect. and we CAN live out that kind of love in our lives- a love so great that Hollywood can't even touch with a pinpoint...

"what if Your blessings come through raindrops,
what if Your healing comes through tears,
and what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?
what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
...the pain reminds our heart that this is not our home."

Your marriage IS worth it!