The Center of Life and Marriage
By Doug Bierl
When things aren’t going well in your life, what do you do? Do you turn to yourself and “pull up your bootstraps”? Do you turn to others for advice? Do you try to escape through some type of temporary relief from the “pain”? Do you ignore it and hope that it will change or go away?
Where does your strength come from to endure the trials that are part of your life? For much of my life, I addressed challenges and issues by turning to myself first, escaping, and then maybe seeking advice from others, or sometimes ignoring the issue. The result? Ultimately, a failed first marriage and fractured family.
What I have learned and experienced since then in my (2nd) marriage to Julaine, is that when I put Jesus at the center of my life and marriage (Matthew 11:28), I am able to navigate and overcome the challenges better, and sometimes just accept the circumstances trusting that God will somehow use it for his good and his glory.
Knowing that Jesus died and paid the price for my ransom (Mark 10:45) and that, as a result, I belong to God and am his adopted son (Ephesians 1:4-6) is a foundation that I stand on to help me engage in the battles of life. The more I get to know Jesus through the Bible and my experience of him, the stronger my relationship is with him. The more I follow his instruction about how to live, the more aligned I am with his will and can withstand the storms of life (Matthew 7:24). Jesus is the key to victory over every challenge in my life and marriage, when I choose to turn to him.
My circumstances don’t necessarily change, but how I respond to them does. When I’m really on my game, I will pause and ask Jesus. What’s really going on here? What are you trying to show me? How would you have me respond? When I take the time to listen and then act on what I hear, the outcome is much better than it would otherwise have been.
If you are married or engaged, and would like to explore this subject further, join me and my wife, Julaine, for the 6-week Arm in Arm Marriage Group starting September 24. It is one of the topics we will cover. Click here for more information and to register.
What: Arm in Arm Marriage Group
When: 7:00-9:00 PM Tuesdays, starting September 24 through October 29
Where: The Fireside Room, Westerville Christian Church, 471 E College Ave, Westerville
Who: Married (or engaged) couples
To request additional information, contact Doug at doug.bierl@gmail.com, or Julaine at julaine.bierl@gmail.com