"Afflictions are the process by which God cultivates growth. Rather than dread our difficulties, we can learn to welcome them. We can learn to see them as blessings from heaven" (Goddard, 39; emphasis added).
This quote was the introduction for the second chapter of Goddard's book, and I immediately found myself searching for my highlighter. Marriage is one of the best blessings of our lives, and learning more about improving mine this semester has truly been a gift. In marriage, we aren't exempt from difficulties, but like this quote says, instead of seeing our "rough patches" as setbacks, we can chose to see them as blessings from our Father in Heaven. We can choose to "sing the song of redeeming love."
But sometimes this choice is easier said than done. So how do we do it?
We must understand that true happiness requires sacrifice. Not just any form of sacrifice, but faith-filled sacrifice. And faith-filled sacrifice requires obedience. I love how this week's reading in Goddard's book was centered on sacrifice, because I truly believe that faith, sacrifice, and obedience, are all necessary in order to have a successful marriage.
Something important for all of us to remember, whether we're married or not, is that "The Lord cannot bless what we do not bring" (pg. 46). Meaning, the Lord can't bless what you don't do. For example, if you don't pay your tithing, you won't receive tithing blessings. This statement can apply to marriage in many ways, but one thing that's important for us to remember, is that if we want to have a Christ-centered marriage, we need to do the work. We will not have a Christ-centered marriage if we don't put in the effort to make it
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