Marriage should be a good thing, right? It’s meant to bring happiness and joy. The lives of husband and wife come together to form a new perfectly imperfect union. That is the ideal.

However, sometimes instead of getting ideal, we can end up in an ordeal. And in this situation, many begin to question the institution of marriage. Does a good God want me in a bad marriage?

No. Emphatically no. God doesn’t want anyone in a bad marriage. When we read about the good hope and future God has for us, we know he doesn’t want bad things for us. God’s Word promises life and life more abundantly. A bad marriage doesn’t sound like abundance.

John chapter 16, verse 33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me, you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

You see, challenges don’t necessarily mean a bad marriage. Even a good marriage is not exempt from trouble.

Disagreeing and working through conflict helps a marriage to grow. Iron sharpens iron. In order to do this, some friction or rubbing against one another must take place. Now this rubbing can cause a good fire, fusing you together, or it can burn the house down. It’s up to the two people in the marriage.

God doesn’t want us in bad marriages. He wants us to work together to make a bad marriage good. Things like children, extended family, finances, household responsibilities, and work can all pose a challenge. They are bumps in the road that can be overcome.

Define what a good marriage looks like for you and your mate. Have faith for it, and put in the corresponding work. When defining a good marriage keep these four Biblically-based  messages in mind.

• You should enjoy your marriage
  May your fountain be blessed and may you enjoy the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love (Proverbs 5:18-19)
• Your spouse holds high value in your life
  A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies (Proverbs 31:10).
• You should love deeply
  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
• Don’t be frightened by the challenges
  Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9)

Just like you, my husband and I have to work to keep our marriage good. We fight the problems not one another. Remember, a good God really doesn’t want you in a bad marriage.

BMWK, what other guidance or scripture can help couples turn their bad marriages into good ones?