Thrive or Survive?

Thrive or survive?  Do they both come into play during trials or is there a choice one must make to thrive and not just survive?  This was a question we had to face in the early honeymoon years of our marriage.

Chris and I have been married for six years.  We’ve been through some big trials in that short amount of time.

In December of 2012 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  In February of 2014 Chris was laid off from his job.  These were significant times in our lives.  These were trials we had to pray through, cry through, and watch God work through in His mysterious ways.  Lessons came from them, and we grew closer together because of them.

We spend time talking and reflecting on our life together.  We try to take time and pray together.  We want to have a successful marriage, and it takes work on both of our parts.  We put our faith and trust in God.  We put our marriage in God’s hands.  Without Him, I’m not sure where we would be today.

It’s not always easy to trust God.  In the midst of trials I try so hard to trust Him, but sometimes, in those moments, I feel like I am failing.  God is always faithful, though.

Everyone wants their marriage to work, right?  I want to bring you along our journey.  We will share lessons we learn from life experiences.  The things that happen in your life shape you, challenge you, strengthen you, and teach you.  How can a marriage stay strong through those ever changing times?

“Always be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”  -Ephesians 4:2-3