Marriage and the Seasons of Life
Marriage is one of the greatest blessings, but let’s be real, it’s also one of the most challenging. It’s this beautiful, messy, ever-changing journey of love, growth, and learning to lean on each other and on God. Just like the seasons of nature, marriage has its own seasons, some filled with sunshine and joy, and others marked by storms and challenges.
No matter what season you’re in, one thing I’ve learned is this: we can’t do it alone. It takes intentional effort, God’s grace, and a whole lot of love to navigate the ups and downs of married life.
The Seasons of Marriage
Every marriage experiences seasons. There’s the season of newlywed bliss, where everything feels fresh and exciting. Then come the busy seasons, filled with work, raising kids, and managing life’s endless to-do lists. And there are the tough seasons, the moments when you’re grieving a loss, dealing with financial strain, or feeling emotionally distant from each other.
Here’s the thing about seasons, they don’t last forever. That’s both comforting and challenging. The joyful times remind us of God’s goodness, while the hard times stretch us, teaching us to lean on Him and on each other.
A Culture That Promotes Giving Up
We live in a culture that often promotes giving up on marriage instead of fighting for it. Divorce is seen as the solution to challenges, and the idea of fighting for your marriage can feel countercultural. But marriage isn’t a contract, it’s a covenant. It’s a sacred promise between you, your spouse, and God.
The enemy hates the family unit and will do everything in his power to destroy it. He whispers lies that it’s easier to walk away, that you deserve better, or that things will never improve. That’s why keeping Christ at the center of your marriage is so crucial. With God as the foundation, you have the strength to fight for your marriage, even when the world tells you to give up.
Keeping Christ at the Center
If there’s one thing that has kept me grounded in my own marriage, it’s knowing that we can’t sustain love on our own. No matter how much we love our spouse, we’re human—imperfect and flawed. That’s why keeping Christ at the center of our marriage is so important.
When life feels overwhelming, I’m reminded of Ecclesiastes 4:12: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” A marriage built on faith is stronger because God is the foundation holding it all together.
In the good seasons, we celebrate God’s blessings. In the hard seasons, we lean on His strength. When I don’t have the words or the patience, I turn to Him, knowing He’s walking this journey with us.
Loving Through Every Season
Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a choice. Some days, it feels easy to love your spouse. Other days, it takes effort, patience, and grace. But isn’t that what makes love so powerful?
Here are a few ways I try to show love in every season:
Speak Life: I remind myself to affirm my husband, to let him know I appreciate him and see his efforts.
Serve with Love: Whether it’s small things like packing his lunch or just sitting and listening after a long day, these little acts matter.
Make Time for Each Other: Even in the chaos, carving out moments to connect, whether it’s a quick coffee date or just sitting on the couch together, makes all the difference.
These small, intentional acts keep the connection alive, even when life feels overwhelming.
Fighting for Your Marriage
Marriage is worth fighting for, no matter how difficult the season. It’s easy to look at the world’s definition of love and commitment and feel discouraged, but God’s definition is so much greater.
Ephesians 5:25-28 reminds us of the depth of Christ’s love for the church, and that same sacrificial love is the model for marriage. It’s not about perfection; it’s about perseverance. It’s about choosing to fight for your marriage, trusting that God will guide you through the challenges, and relying on His grace to sustain you.
Leaning on God and Each Other
When life gets tough, and let’s be honest, it will—it’s easy to feel like the struggles are bigger than you can handle. But that’s when I remind myself that we’re on the same team. God didn’t bring us together to face life’s challenges alone.
James 1:2-4 speaks so powerfully to this: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
The tough seasons have a purpose. They shape us, grow us, and teach us to rely on God. They’re not easy, but they’re a part of the journey, and God is with us through them all.
Looking Ahead
Marriage is a journey, not a destination. It’s about growing together, leaning on God, and learning to love each other more deeply through every season. Whether you’re in a season of joy or a season of struggle, know that God is with you, strengthening your love and guiding your steps.
Father, thank You for the gift of marriage and for walking with us through every season. Lord, help us to keep You at the center of our relationship. In the joyful times, remind us to celebrate Your blessings, and in the hard times, give us patience, grace, and the strength to persevere.
Teach us to love each other as You love us, to forgive as You forgive, and to trust in Your plan for our marriage. Bless our union and guide us as we continue this journey together.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
