The movie Titanic had Rose and Jack at the centre of it, understandably. But we will not be looking at either. In my opinion (which may not be perfect), the captain sank the ship with the avowal - “that not even God could have caused the ship to sink”. Pride goes before destruction. Activating God against your marriage may happen in different ways.

During the first week of our courtship, God gave us clear and explicit instructions regarding why we must shun fornication in our courtship and with a severe consequence if we failed. Some specific instructions from God also guided our wedding, they were so precise - don’t do these, do these. Flaunting or disobeying God is the worst problem a people could activate upon themselves. Please take stock!

How have you fared following God’s specific instructions for your lives and marriage? Have you defied any? Are you sincere with each other or are there lies at the foundation of your home? Cast your mind back to the altar and the hour you got wedded, did you answer those questions with all sincerity or did you leave the altar with a curse? The priests wait for “NO” to “does either of you know of any reason why you should not be joined together in ‘HOLY’ matrimony” (among a few other consequential declarations/questions) before pronouncing the caveat - that God does not delight in any union that features any of such things. Was your “NO” the honest and righteous response?

How have you fared with your marital vows? Many homes just need confession sessions to undo the spiritual ceilings that sin and the enemy have built over them. Likewise, many people in marriages need to be reminded that adultery is not the only way to violate your wedding vows. Read your wedding vows again.

When people are operating against the traffic of God, just anything could be enough to unsettle them. So, what is the way out? GOD is still in the business of attending to broken and contrite hearts. Don’t let the enemy rob you of God’s plan for your marriage.

A few days ago, the Holy Spirit told me about many Christian couples (no names or faces given) who are going through afflictions in their marriages and how some of these people have remained very steadfast to the Lord’s work. One of the emotional scenes in the Titanic movie was where the violinists continued to worship the Lord with hymns whilst the pandemonium lasted. Their composure and peace in the face of death; their resolve to remain and die at their posts; their otherworldly relationship with God - sinking ship nevertheless still beats me. If someone is reading this and your home appears like a dead end, please be reassured that God has got your back. Just do your part and seek appropriate interventions.

As simple as it may be, some homes will be realigned and fixed IF only the couple will do the basics - husbands love their wives and wives submit unto their husbands. These may appear too basic, yet they are vital for the success of any marriage. The most germane question is “are you ready to make your marriage work?” Can you revise your priorities and flex your daily routines for the next few weeks? 10 consistent days on leave and another month’s bedtime routine together: Can you please do that much to try and salvage your marriage?

As simple as it may be, why not consider a 10 days holiday away together and alone? Go with games, movies and books; go with hearts that are honest about making your marriage work. And when you return, can you make arrangements to sleep on the same bed for at least another 30 days? If you can, keep to a maximum of a double (3½) bed. Throughout the combined 40 days, ensure at least 30 minutes of interaction in the morning and another 60 minutes at bedtime. The interactions may be honest chats, reflections, expressions of gratitude and concerns/displeasures, confessions, non-violent confrontations, and especially prayer. But why did we add confrontation to the list? Why not pray alone?

If you arrive at Day 1 intending to let things work and to play your roles in making them work, then you will need to dig out a few things and treat them. Some of those sessions may not be so romantic or soothing. Don’t run away from them. When a craftsman is cutting away the edges of the material, he is not being wasteful or cruel. He is rather ensuring that the edges are fit and perfect to interlock and remain sturdy and durable, especially on stormy days. Those non-violent confrontations, if done with constructive intentions should be followed by more productive prayer sessions. To continue ritualistic daily devotions together while your hearts are far apart is an outright disservice to yourselves.

But what if your spouse declines to participate in this process? You should continue to pray, but bearing in mind that making a marriage work requires at least the two people involved in the marriage, no less. However, do your best to safeguard your life, mental health, overall wellbeing, and your children; including if that means a temporary separation.

Between your current situation and your testimonies, please don’t stop praying, keep trusting God and let your gaze at the Cross remain steadfast. If you need prayer partners and/or counselling, you may contact Selah Series Admin connect@selahseries.com and +353874080488 (WhatsApp ONLY) and we will link you up with one or two of our mentors if required. Please introduce yourself and focus on issues related to Selah Series. Thank you.

One of the most memorable moments of my 2022 Summer was a conversation with a senior friend who had had to battle health challenges for most of her life and whose life has been affected significantly by some health complications and health-related choices. My friend got her healing (after four decades) and currently working with God in the healing ministry. Usually, God uses what we've been through to build us for greater causes. So, I will not be surprised at all if you come out of these ordeals to become one of God’s agents at restoring marriages for God’s glory. The Lord will prosper your home, in Jesus' name.

Brethren, it is at this point that we draw the curtain on the 2022 edition of the Selah Series. Glory to God and thank you so much for walking the journey with us. To a few enquiries regarding adapting some of the writings for Sunday Schools, please feel free to do so. Thank you.

Selah!

© SELAH SERIES 2022