She tells me she is "so unhappy" and tells me she wonders why she ever married her husband. I explain to her, "You will never find complete happiness in a man. Let me repeat myself. You will NEVER find all your happiness in a man." If you marry a man to be happy, you will be disappointed. He will disappoint you. He will never be able to live up to all of your expectations. NEVER, so you must change your expectations.
Your happiness in marriage is no where near as important to the Lord as your obedience is to Him. He commands that you be a vow keeper. He commands that you LOVE your husband, please him, serve him, obey him, and submit to him. Your happiness is NOT what matters to the Lord. Your growing up in your faith, and spreading the Gospel by your godly behavior, are what He wants you to care about in this world that is quickly passing towards eternity.
When you are loving and serving your husband, the world notices. If your husband isn't "Mr. Perfect" and you still love and serve him, the world wonders why you stay with him, but they will respect you. As you live with your husband in a joyful way, regardless of the circumstances, the world will see Jesus.
The world needs to see Jesus. The world is lost and floundering in the dark. They need lights that live out the Christian life. They need to see wives loving their husbands through good times and bad times, through sickness and health, though rich or poor. They need models of Christ's power working through His people or else how will the world see Jesus?
Yes, you may not have any more "feelings" for your husband. So what? Feelings come and go for everyone. Love is a decision. It is a commitment. It is a "death until we part" vow. Yes, it's hard but the narrow road isn't called "narrow" for no reason. It's a lot easier to jump on that worldly broad path that leads to destruction than to stay on the narrow road of God's Truth BUT along this narrow road is Life, abundant and free.
Sure it's hard to smile at your husband when he acts like a jerk, but I bet you act like one at times also. Even if you don't, we should still smile and love for love forgives easily and is not easily offended. {Meditate on I Corinthians 13}
If you are having a hard time in your marriage, go on long walks {take the children if you have them} and get in the fresh air and sunshine. Stop eating sugar. It causes depression and lots of other bad things. Fill your home with God-honoring music and solid Bible believing sermons. Spend time in the Word and read it to your children. Stop watching trash television and movies. In this way, you are sanctifying your family with Jesus.
You can stay married to this man all the days of your life for with God ALL things are possible. Love him, even when he is unlovable. Respect him, even when he is not worthy of respect for this pleases God and when you live to please God, you will reap beautiful fruit.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking
but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:7
