Have you ever deeply considered the fact that we make quite a number of promises publicly to one another during our marriage ceremony? And then, also publicly, we promise to keep those promises by speaking vows to one other.  Something inherent in the ceremony and those words is that whether any of us realized it or not, promises made would be tried, sometimes severely. Perhaps there is even a societal element of mistrust implied.  I mean, to whom or to what other areas of life do we speak vows of commitment?

Whatever the case, marriage is built on multiple promises of remaining committed, having eyes for only one, loving and caring for my bride or my groom…” Until death do us part.”  Vows (our spoken words) are important and here’s why.

Our commitment will be challenged through trials.  Whether or not those trials are made by us or an outside factor doesn’t really matter.  How we handle those trials and how we handle our relationship is what matters.  Paul the apostle said we would encounter “light and momentary troubles” in this life and we have to determine what we will achieve, actually what will be produced through those troubles.  Will they weaken us or will they strengthen us?

Maybe you and/or your spouse are facing a trial right now in your marriage or personal lives.  You have the option to pursue your own comfort first if you desire to.  Or, you have the option of facing that trial together, praying, practicing forgiveness and grace, attempting to grow in your relationship and deepening your commitment of love.

We have a friend whose husband was killed by Al-Qaida.  She told us she could face that trial because of a very difficult, earlier trial which helped to prepare her for the loss of her husband.  Trials can and will be used by God to strengthen us for the road ahead.  Choose to grow in grace through each one.