Are You Suffering for the Right Things?

Jennifer and I had a very interesting conversation about marriage the other day. In particular, we were discussing various situations where we were able to minister to other couples. Our time of sharing with one another became even more interesting as we began to share together in the Word of God. Now, I want to warn some you out there...you may not like what you hear!

Let me preface the Scripture that I'm about to share with mindsets about marriage. Too many people in this world (including believers) have the wrong attitude toward marriage. They see it as wonderful and great as long as everything is wonderful and great. It's bothersome when there are problems and the problems are often viewed as too great to overcome. I wish we had a nickel for every time a husband or wife would say, "Would you stay if...?"

You may have heard that line yourself. In fact, I just read an interesting blog about porn, adultery, & divorce where the topic question was whether or not viewing porn was the same as adultery and if so - was it grounds for divorce? It's things like this that make a man think! What is it that we are suffering through?

In 1 Peter Chapter 2 you will find the Apostle sharing with the churches the need to respect those in authority. Kings and officials should be shown respect as well as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Peter then goes on to talk about the need for Christian slaves to continue to be respectful of their masters even if it means suffering. Get Ready, here's the real kicker: Chapter 3 verse 1, "In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands, even those who refuse to accept the Good News." WOW! Peter simply said - just as you would submit to authorities and slaves would submit to masters - wives should accept the authority of their husbands. Of course, he goes on to give instructions to the husbands and their need to honor their wives while being compassionate to her. It really is a wonderful chapter about marriage.

But that is not why I'm sharing all of this. Remember the question I asked earlier? "Would you stay if...?"

1 Peter 3:17, "Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!" Most translations will tell you that it is better to suffer to doing good than doing evil. Oh, I know...that is just too much to ask isn't it? A great majority of people (including Christians) think it is much better to suffer through a divorce than through a marriage! That's right - I said it out LOUD...too many people including those in the church will suffer through a divorce than suffer through counseling, submission, etc.

Why?

The reason why is simple: We think WE DESERVE BETTER and we will do everything in our power to GET WHAT WE WANT!

I'm going to ask you a simple question and then I'm done. What are you willing to suffer over?