As Christians, we are called to love and respect our spouses, but what happens when that love is not reciprocated? What if your partner does not provide basic needs, controls, and manipulates you? The Bible teaches us that God wants us to be treated with love, respect, and care in our marriages.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, it is written, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
If your partner does not exhibit this kind of love towards you, it may be time to re-evaluate the relationship. God does not want you to stay in a toxic marriage where you are not valued or respected.
In Matthew 19:8-9, Jesus teaches us that if a husband does not love and care for his wife, it is better for her to leave the marriage. "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."
Remember, God wants you to be happy and fulfilled in your marriage. If that is not happening, it may be time to seek help and support. Don't stay in a relationship that is not glorifying to God.
Bible verses :
- "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." - Ephesians 5:25
- "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:22
- "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7
When to Hold on and When to Let Go:
We know that God designed marriage to be a beautiful, loving relationship between two people, but sometimes things don't work out as planned. Sometimes, marriages become toxic, abusive, or loveless. That's when we need to ask ourselves, "What does God want me to do?"
God's Design for Marriage
In Genesis 2:24, we read, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." This is God's original design for marriage – a union between two people, becoming one in every aspect.
In Ephesians 5:25-33, we see the blueprint for a godly marriage. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church, sacrificing themselves for their wives. Wives are called to respect and submit to their husbands as they would to the Lord.
But what happens when this design is not followed? What happens when a marriage becomes toxic or abusive?
When to Hold On:
There are times when we need to hold on to our marriages, even when things get tough. In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, we read, "To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife."
Here, we see that God wants us to work through our issues, to reconcile, and to forgive. But there are limits to this.
When to Let Go
In Matthew 19:8-9, Jesus teaches us that if a husband does not love and care for his wife, it is better for her to leave the marriage. "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."
Here, we see that God prioritizes our well-being and safety. If a marriage becomes abusive or toxic, it may be time to let go.
God wants us to have healthy, loving relationships. If your marriage is struggling, know that you're not alone. Seek help, seek counselling, and seek God's guidance.
Remember, God's design for marriage is beautiful, but sometimes we need to hold on, and sometimes we need to let go. May we trust in His sovereignty and wisdom as we explore our relationships.
