For a covenant that is meant to be about partnership, unity and connection, marriage can sometimes be one of the loneliest places in the world.
Even the biggest butterflies stop fluttering eventually. When the initial emotions fade out of a relationship, pain in the form of isolation, abuse and divorce can begin to creep in.
But the Bible teaches that this is not a part of God’s perfect design for marriage. Billy Graham once said, “God gave marriage to us, and His plan is for it to be a source of blessing and happiness for us.”
In our sinful world, marriage does not always feel like the gift it was meant to be. But God has the power to restore even the most broken relationships.
Find comfort in these 5 answers from Billy Graham about when marriage gets difficult:
Q: What if my spouse doesn’t love me anymore?
A: “I sincerely hope that in spite of the problems you face you won’t give in to the temptation to end your marriage. Instead, I hope you’ll do everything you possibly can to rekindle the love you once had, and even strengthen it—with God’s help.”
Q: I am in an abusive relationship. Does God want me to stay married?
A: “Although God’s perfect plan is for marriage to be a life-long commitment, nothing in the Bible requires someone to stay in a life-threatening situation—not at all.”
Q: My spouse isn’t a Christian. What should I do about it?
A: “God is able to do what you can’t do, piercing [your spouse’s] defenses by His Spirit and opening her eyes to her need of Christ.”
Q: Was getting married a mistake?
A: “Couples sometimes assume that just because they’re in love, they won’t have any problems once they’re married. But it isn’t true; every marriage requires adjustments and compromises. A strong marriage requires work on the part of both the husband and wife—and I want to assure you that it’s worth it.”
Q: I just got a divorce. Where do I go from here?
A: “To many people, love is only an emotional feeling, and once that fades, they think their marriage must be over. … You can’t change the past, of course, but with God’s help you can change the future.”