Never Give Up

Theme of the Week: The Marriage Promise

Bible Verse:  “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope“ Jeremiah 29:11, CSB

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:31-39

What is the secret to never giving up? It’s easier than you think. Early in our marriage, Amy and I stumbled across a simple truth that’s made all the difference. In fact, because it’s so simple, it would be easy to underestimate just how powerful it can be in your life. Are you ready to hear our secret? Here it is: we decided that our marriage will be as good as we decide it will be.

We have problems just like everybody else. We live in the same sin-filled world that you do. (Do you have any idea what six kids can do to a bathroom?) But we decided we would seek God together, praying together and striving to put God first. We decided we’d fight fair, always fighting toward resolution instead of toward winning, which leaves plenty of space for forgiveness and love. We decided we’d make time regularly to have fun, enjoying the gifts of marriage and friendship. We decided to keep our hearts out of trouble and to stay pure, rejecting any poison that could hurt our marriage. And, of course, we decided not to give up, fighting without end for the marriage God wants us to have. I hope you noticed the key words in all of those things. There are only two of them: We. Decided.

You can too! It has taken both of us working together as one. But everybody has to start somewhere. I know it is especially hard if only one of you is trying at first. But you have to keep going. You’re in this relationship together. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, if you’re married, God has already made you one. It doesn’t matter how it feels. Once God has made you one, you can’t be undone. Even if you’re the only one committing right now, you decide. You decide what kind of marriage you’re going to have. Is it going to be a bad one? Or is it going to be a good one? You decide. It can be as good as you decide.

Excerpt from From This Day Forward: Five Commitments to Fail-Proof Your Marriage by Craig and Amy Groeschel. Used with permission.
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About

Craig and Amy Groeschel

Craig and Amy co-founded Life.Church in 1996. As the Senior Pastor of Life.Church Craig provides teaching, leadership, and guidance for the church as a whole. Craig speaks at conferences around the world, has written several books including his latest release, Hope In The Dark: Believing God is Good When Life Is Not, and hosts the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast. Craig and Amy live in the Edmond, Oklahoma area and have six children, three sons-in-law, and two grandkids.

Craig and Amy Groeschel

Craig and Amy co-founded Life.Church in 1996. As the Senior Pastor of Life.Church Craig provides teaching, leadership, and guidance for the church as a whole. Craig speaks at conferences around the world, has written several books including his latest release, Hope In The Dark: Believing God is Good When Life Is Not, and hosts the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast. Craig and Amy live in the Edmond, Oklahoma area and have six children, three sons-in-law, and two grandkids.