Stretched but Not Broken
Living in Harmony- Part 1

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-9

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

The title for this month’s emphasis, “A Bad Marriage, Gone Good” came from my own experience. Melanie and I had developed a “bad marriage” because we didn’t know how to develop a good one! We weren’t “bad people,” nor are you – if you are struggling in your marriage. What we were missing was “information.” We were lacking understanding of each other and, even, ourselves! For us – we were being stretched and were nearly broken. Fifty-two weeks of Christian counseling gave us the tools we needed to turn our lives around. Remember, 40 years ago very few resources were available to help couples work through their issues in a Christ honoring way! Now, couples have available to them many options to help them turn their marriage into a healthy and growing relationship.

If you are being “stretched” in your relationship – nearing the breaking point – let me encourage you to seek help. Christian bookstores are full of good “self-help” material. Solid Christian counseling is available from both pastors and professional coaching. I realize it seems easier to “trash” the relationship and start over. The problem is you’ll only be trading problems if you don’t determine to learn how to “do” relationships! You are part of the problem; it is never “all one-sided.” If you don’t correct your misunderstandings, you’ll carry them into the next relationship. The cycle will simply keep repeating itself. The good news is…God’s principles work! Take time to read the entire chapter of 1 Peter 3. Practice these verses and you’ll learn to “do” relationship!

Father, you created this institution of marriage, I will trust your Word on how to live in harmony in it! In Jesus’ Name, amen.