Hard Times...Good God!

I mean to post this yesterday, but didn’t have the chance.
Yesterday was a rough day for me. I had to take my husband to the hospital for the second time in less than a week, only this time they admitted him. Now, after two weeks, going on three, “Nurse Jackie” gets a break. I’ve been thinking since all of these complications have occurred, how much our marriage has grown in the last year. I look back and we have been through a lot of tough stuff. Being 26 and dealing with major health issues can really put restrictions on your life; physically, emotionally, spiritually, and for sure financially…BUT through it all the Lord has been our focus (at least we try to make Him that). How much we can grow as a couple in the hard times, if we just allow the Lord to do His work. I am thankful today that we have gone through this…not thankful for the sickness, but thankful that when things have gotten tough, it has only pulled us closer together and strengthened our faith. I look at it this way…when we are saved, sometimes the Lord allows a time of great protection, where we are not faced with such serious situations in life, to build our faith up in Him. However, when we are tested in our faith, we can see so much growth in our lives if we use those opportunities to exercise our trust. Just as Jesus “passed the test” when He was tempted in the wilderness, His life fulfilled the purpose that He was created for with so much power. When we are faced with uncomfortable and even painful situations, we too can see our witness to others grow in power, because those around us begin to see that we our conversion is “real.” Well, the same thing happens in marriage. When we are faced with difficult situations, the loss of a job, sickness, etc, we can choose one of two reactions: cling to one another and look to the Lord and allow the situation to change us, or fall into the temptation of relying on own strength and in turn push others and the Lord away. It becomes very easy to get frustrated with one another and with the Lord even. We can begin to blame others for our circumstances and lose sight of our purpose in life. That’s exactly what Jesus did….He was tempted just like us, but proved to us, that we too can conquer the plans of the enemy and see great things come from our circumstances. Consider this: A family loses a child. As enormous of a loss this is, if the family trusts in the Lord through this, turning their pain, frustration, and heartache over to Him daily, after time, the Lord can heal their hearts and give them hope. Many times, those are the people that the Lord uses to console and minister to those going through the same thing. (I am particularly reminded of Stephen Curtis Chapman and the loss of their adopted little girl.)
Today, I look at my marriage with John and I see a relationship strengthened with the cords of love and commitment. I look at what we have gone through, and I am reminded that when we trust the Lord daily and we live in constant fellowship with one another and the Lord, our marriages and our relationship with the Lord can be fruitful and enjoyable. Our marriage today is much stronger, not due to the fun we have (although there is definitely a lot of that!), but I think due to the hard times that we have endured that have made us realize that our marriage is a commitment and a covenant, not just a feeling of love and happiness, because sometimes, we aren’t “happy.” Sometimes we are disappointed, frustrated, sick, or mad, but if we don’t lash out at each other or avoid one another and trust and pray that the Lord will be present in our circumstances, we can actually make it through these difficulties and live to tell about it! Blessings to everyone…especially those who are in the line of Mr. Ike.