Has Complaining Become a Habit?

~~~ James 5:9-12 ~~~ Psalm 103 ~~~ Mark 10:1-12 ~~~

The Lord is kind and merciful.

Let your 'yes' mean 'yes' and your 'no' mean 'no'...

Jesus is ever willing to give us the benefit of the doubt.

He models kindness and mercy for us.

This same kindness and mercy,

 if exercised in marriages,

 might reduce the number of divorces.

Do not complain, brothers and sisters, 

about one another,

that you may not be judged.

This advice not only applies to our relationship with strangers,

but also with family, friends, and yes...spouses.

Unfortunately it is very easy to get into the habit 

of complaining about everything and everyone.

Before we know it our whole life experience

 is tainted with complaining.

Certainly marriages are not all perfect.

Marriage requires work from each person.

Last week my husband and I celebrated being 

married for forty four years.

They have not been perfect years.

They have been years filled love and forgiveness.

When complaining becomes

 the primary mode of conversation 

the whole relationship becomes sour.

Marriage is more than just a piece of paper.

It is the coming together of two people

 from two different backgrounds.

Two different people that can easily

 find reason to judge and complain.

...a man shall leave his father and mother

and be joined to his wife,

and the two shall become one flesh.

This is not simply about the sexual union.

becoming one encompasses the 

essence of each individual.

The longer two people are together, 

many times, the more they become as one.

There are situations when 

the marriage cannot be kept in tact.

Marriage is fragile in many ways.

Spouses that pray together are inviting God 

to be present in their relationship.

When God is included in the union between a couple

 there is a greater chance for marriage longevity.

If you are married I invite you to become

 aware of how God is uniting you and your spouse.

God can bring you closer to your spouse.

God can remove your tendency to create a chain

 of complaints about your marriage.

If you are single and hope to be married one day

decide now to bring God into the relationship.

If you are not married please pray for marriages

 to be strengthen in the Lord.

~~~Blessings & Peace~~~