Two Steps To Save Your Marriage

Recently I was listening to the story of Stormie Omartian, the best-selling author of The Power of a Praying Wife.  Stormie's marriage was on the rocks; she wanted to take the kids and leave.  But first she decided to fast and pray for guidance.  The Lord told her two things.  First, He told her to die to the desire to give up and leave, and instead to renew her commitment to the permanence of marriage.  Second, God told her to change her prayer from "Lord, change him," to "Lord, change me."  Stormie followed God's direction, and these two steps radically changed her and saved her marriage.

This should not come as a surprise.  When you commit to the permanence of marriage and decide that there's no escape, it motivates you to do whatever it takes to get along and be happy together. 

As well, when you shift your focus from changing your spouse to changing yourself, it greatly improves the marriage.  You become more gracious with your spouse because you realize that you are just as bad, if not worse.  You become more satisfied with your marriage because your spouse doesn't seem nearly as bas as they did.  And you grow and become a better spouse, which both improves the marriage and motivates your spouse to grow as well. 

There aren't many things in life that will make you as miserable as a hurting marriage.  But there is hope.  God can turn things around.  If your marriage is on the rocks, follow the direction that God gave Stormie Omartian.  Die to the desire to give up and leave and recommit to the permanence of marriage.  And start praying for God to change you rather than your spouse.