There is a women-only site where women can divulge their hearts’ secrets. One recently posted a topic of “Endless
Disappointments.” Reading this woman’s story sounded familiar – there is after
all nothing new under the sun. This particular one desires her husband to make appropriate sacrifices to gain a marketable
trade for which she believes will better his chances of providing for their
family. Her husband instead refuses opportunity after opportunity, including free
tuition at a University she worked at. He shifts blame on employers for not
giving him a chance to move up the ladder.
After endless disappointments, her
heart fails her and anger and bitterness begins to grow where love and encouragement once stowed. She tired
of arguing and one too many broken promises. So she took the steps and made sacrifices
to gain an AS, BA, and an MBA. Ultimately, she begins earning a six-figure
income in a job that she loves but really wishes her success were also her
husband’s. He barely makes more than minimum
wage in one temp job after another. They are on the road to divorce; he just
doesn’t know it yet.
Her story, while names and situations
are different, is somewhat familiar to some wives. (Just fill in the blank of the disappointment du jour.) Wives,
whose situations are similar to the woman above, may perceive this lack of care
on their husband’s part as a lack of love for her, their family and the life
they dreamed of (and planned on) living. She may or may not be right in her assessment. But, is
it not really an insight to her deceiving heart and a failure to remember Christ
her husband?
than all
that we ask or think,
according to the power at work within us,
to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout
all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)
But,
God is able to
resurrect a dead marriage for his grace abounds! He renews believers' minds daily
and continues to transform our hearts (Rom. 12:1-2). He enables us to will and work
according to his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). He has not left us to our own devices,
but has given us His Spirit who intercedes our inner groaning (Rom. 8:26-27).
By His transforming work, a wife
after God’s own heart knows God, trusts in him, and hopes in his promises. She is
enabled to take captive every thought to trust in God. She seeks refuge in God (Psalm
91) and not friends who are really foes that will only encourage her downfall (Psalm
1:1-3). She can sing like Moses and praise God for the work He is doing (Exodus
15). She IS a woman who laughs at the things to come (Prov. 31:25). Though she knows not what the journey may
bring, she has the gift of faith in God who planned her days from the beginning
of old and, therefore, she walks in confidence in Him who reigns.
Trust in
the LORD with all your heart,
and do not
lean on your own understanding.
In all
your ways acknowledge him,
and he
will make straight your paths.
Be not
wise in your own eyes;
fear the
LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be
healing to your flesh
and
refreshment to your bones.
(Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV)
