Seventy Times Seven Times

Her husband has withdrawn from her physically and emotionally.  Everyone told her she should leave him.  He even threatened to move out.  I told her she couldn't leave him.  God wanted her to fight for her marriage.  She started praying for him, fixing nice dinners for him, not arguing, and sending him appreciative notes.  He is softening.  

Many of her friends are either divorced or divorcing.  She is an amazing model to them of what it looks like to fight for your marriage.  They will even put him down in front of her but she continues steadfastly to fight for her marriage.

I am reading a novel.  {It is so good.  I highly recommend it!}  A young woman marries a man who turns out to be an alcoholic and can't even keep a job.  She has finally had enough and runs home to mama.  Her mom told her they are one flesh and she needs to forgive him 70 times 7 times.  She sent her back to her husband.

When Jesus said we are to forgive 70 times 7 times, it includes our husbands.  We are not to leave them or divorce them.  When they are unhappy and distant, they are miserable and need you in their corner praying and fighting for him.  Remember, it is a spiritual battle.

Satan would love to destroy my friend's marriage but she puts on the full armor of God every day ready to do battle.  She wants to keep her family together.  This is what we are all called to do.  

Then Peter came up and asked him, 

"Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me 

and I have to forgive him? Seven times?" 

Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, 

Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:21,22