marriage

This past week my prince and I began our marriage counseling classes. We are going through a book called Marriage 101, back to the basics.

This weeks lesson was centered on 1 Peter 3:8

"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it." 

After skimming through this verse a couple times, I had to go back to the last part and read it again. The part that really stood out to me was the command to repay insults with a blessing....What! How unfair! That was my immediate thought...

until this morning I coincidentally was reading in 1 Peter 2. (vs. 21-23)

"He (Christ) is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered."

This passage just happens to come before the chapters on husbands and wives, and the verse that I had just read in my marriage counseling book! 

So here is what I am learning...

Marriage's sole purpose is not my happiness. (gasp!)

Marriage is actually an extension of God's calling on my life.

Marriage is an opportunity for me to become more like Christ.

God says that if we follow Christ's example in our relationships, "he will bless you for it." 1 Peter 3:9

Hmmmm it seems to me that the key to a good marriage is backwards to what the world tells us! That means I must be intentional and purposeful in how I approach the holy unity of marriage. 

"Keep your eyes on Jesus"