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Marriage
Brad Thompson
May 16, 2010
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Just A Word
Let me start by saying that, as we look forward to this series on building stronger marriages, we recognize that it will not address everyone sitting in this audience. If you fit in that category, we want you to know that your situation is not lost on us nor do we consider it or the wounds that may be re-opened to be trivial or unimportant. However, we do hope you will agree that the subject of marriage and tragedies that are created when these relationships are not what God intends them to be is important enough that you would indulge us for a few weeks while we address it. Our prayer is that God may use this series of lessons to encourage, strengthen, and give you new tools to deepen all the important relationships in your life. Regardless of your marital status, we can all be better friends!
I am extremely passionate about pre-marital counseling. Many who come to me for that are surprised by the intensity of the process I use to try to help them get started on the right foot. Many times I’ve heard, “Man, I didn’t know I was going to have to work this hard before I got married!” Part of my passion lies in the experience Karen and I had before getting married. When we asked people we respected about it, the standard answer we received was, “You’re both great people – smart, hard working, faithful, etc. – you’re gonna do great!” Those words of support were nice to hear but gave us no tools to deal with the challenges that every couple is sure to face. The reason for that is simple. Our adversary, the devil, will do everything in his power to separate us from the joy on this earth that can only be found in a healthy marriage relationship. And if he can destroy our marriages, our children are much more vulnerable – regardless of their ages.
This morning, as we look at how our relationships started and how they have matured, I hope you will be encouraged to find the “treasures” in your relationships and eliminate the junk that keeps you from enjoying the blessings that God intended in your marriage.