Courage such an important word. God tells us so many times in His word to be strong and courageous, He is with us. So why do I have so much trouble. I am very solid in my beliefs and my faith. I do not waver. I try live the way God wants me to live. I am actively pursuing a personal and intimate relationship Jesus. So, where, may I ask, is my courage???
Joshua 1:5-9 says,” No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (NLT)
The other night at work I was sharing about a woman (who remained and will remain nameless) that is choosing to stay in her marriage because it is what God has commanded her to do. Her husband is an alcoholic and is at times verbally abusive. Their relationship is awful, but she feels like she made a covenant to God and that it is permanent. The lady I was talking to, who goes to church, responded with a very worldly conditioned response...
“I think that God gave us common sense to not be treated that way. This is not how God wants us to live, and if someone wants to pull the God card, then the Bible says we are created in God’s image and would anyone say that God’s image should be abused.”
My stomach immediately knotted up. I have studied marriage and divorce in depth and know what the Bible teaches, but in that moment I had no courage, I had nothing to say to her. Later, almost tearful, I confessed this weakness to Jesus, asking for forgiveness, balking at myself for allowing Satan to freeze me in a moment when I could have confidently and with knowledge on the subject spoken the truth about it.
I wish I would have told her that she is wrong. God is specific that marriage is forever. It is a covenant only broken by death. Divorce may end your marriage legally, but you are married in God’s eyes until death. Living the life that God commands can bring great suffering in this life. It can bring persecution from your family and friends who don’t understand why you make the choices you make especially when they are against what the world says. I should have told her about the passage 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 that says a Christian woman should not leave her husband, that she brings holiness to her home and her marriage and the her husband may be converted because of her. Lastly, Jesus, God’s son, who is one with God was beaten and abused beyond recognition, all for God’s will and glory. Her defense on God’s image not being treated badly is out the window on that one. I would never advocate a woman staying in a dangerous relationship, however, I think we are too quick to run when there is suffering. The world thinks that our life is supposed to blissful and if it is not, then we leave. The woman I am referring to is in no danger. I commend this woman for staying in her marriage. She and I have talked in depth and I know her heart concerning this. She prays for her husband and knows that God will reward her for her obedience. She knows that someday her husband may be freed of his addiction because of her love and God’s love for him.
My prayer is that the next time I have the opportunity to be bold for Christ, that I have the courage to do so. God is with me and He commands it of me! How about you pray the same prayer with me!
