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Surrendering Your Marriage
by  Melanie Chitwood

It seems that the longer I've been married, more and more frequently I hear of struggling Christian marriages. I know these couples never intended to be in such a desperate place. When they said their wedding vows of "for better or worse," they never imagined that the "worse" part would include thoughts of divorce appearing as a good option.

When I hear about these couples, I turn my thoughts toward my own marriage. I hug my husband tightly and whisper prayers of thanksgiving that we are together, committed, and growing closer.

You see, this hasn't always been the case for us. For about half of our fifteen years of marriage, we fought constantly and although we loved each other passionately, we just couldn't figure out how to be married or how to be a couple.

Finally, in desperation, I cried out to God asking Him what I should do. His answer surprised me. In the still, small voice in my heart, God told me to surrender my marriage to Him. I knew that the key to surrendering my marriage was trusting God. Instead of trying to be in control by telling my husband and God what to do, I learned to set my eyes on Christ and to ask Christ what He wanted me to do in my marriage.

Since that day, I have focused on being the kind of wife God wants me to be. I have searched the Scriptures, and one step at a time I have obeyed God's commands for being a godly wife.

Many times it has felt like two steps forward and one step back. But that's still progress! God has transformed our marriage into one of friendship, intimacy, and laughter, instead of the strife-filled marriage we had previously experienced.

God knows all about your marriage. He knows all about you. He knows all about your husband. Your marriage is a gift from Him, and can bring God glory and you joy when you surrender your marriage to Him. Start today by trusting God, and see what happens as you allow God to transform your marriage.

As a wife to a sports-loving husband, a mother to two young sons, and a Christian author and speaker, Melanie understands the challenges women face as they try to balance their many roles and responsibilities.  After hearing Melanie speak, women will leave inspired and equipped to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, the One who provides the strength and peace they need for enjoying life each day.