| Finding happiness in an unhappy marriage requires that | | | | 1-800-799-SAFE. |
| we first understand the nature and priorities of our | | | | Assuming that your marriage is not an abusive one, |
| marriage. We must then grasp the definition and true | | | | then you need to renew your commitment to your |
| understanding of marriage, and finally determine to | | | | husband or wife and ask God's help to repair it. |
| seek out the keys to happiness and fulfillment. Let's | | | | Note that renewing your commitment is more than |
| take each step in turn. | | | | just saying "I'm not going anywhere." Refusing to |
| 1. What is the Nature of Marriage? | | | | divorce is not the same as committing to your |
| According to the Bible, marriage is an institution | | | | marriage. You need to love your spouse and do |
| ordained by God. It is the union between one man | | | | everything you can to bring healing and romance into |
| and one woman, and it is to be for life. Such an | | | | your relationship. |
| institution requires love, commitment, and patience. | | | | 3. How to Seek Out the Keys to Happiness? |
| Further, the prophet Malachi makes clear that God | | | | Renewing your commitment to your marriage doesn't |
| "hates divorce" (Malachi 2:16). Clearly, God is for | | | | mean that you must consign yourself to misery or |
| marriage and against divorce. This speaks to the | | | | unhappiness. Jesus wants you to live an "abundant" |
| nature of marriage. It is a commitment -- and one | | | | life and He wants your marriage to be fulfilling. |
| that should not be broken. | | | | However, to achieve happiness, we must do our |
| 2. What Should Our Priorities be to our Marriage? | | | | part. Happiness is ultimately a choice and not a feeling. |
| If marriage is based on commitment, then what is | | | | The same is true for love. You must choose to be |
| the level of yours? | | | | happy, and then you must seek out happiness with a |
| Now, first, let me say that the Bible does make | | | | biblical focus and game plan. |
| allowance for self-defense. If you are in the midst of | | | | There are plenty of resources available to help you |
| a dangerous and abusive relationship, you need to | | | | rebuild your marriage and restore the happiness you |
| protect yourself and your children - and get out. | | | | want and deserve. Seek out solid, biblically-based |
| Defend yourself by removing yourself from that | | | | counsel and assistance - and start taking action |
| situation and getting the help that you need. You can | | | | today. |
| call the National Domestic Violence hotline at | | | | |