The Idol of Marriage Brings False Security
If your hope is in your broken marriage being restored — that is, you can’t see any joy, purpose or meaning in life without it — then your hope is contingent upon another person’s selfish and broken heart. Which ultimately means you have made marriage your idol. We make marriage “The Point”, when in reality it is the context of the story God uses to shape us.
If your hope is in God, i.e. your hope, purpose, meaning, and value are in him — then your hope is contingent upon a heart that never changes. He is always who He says He is, and doesn’t make you earn His love. You don’t have to guess what your value is to him. And he is in control of the whole story.
God’s Power Over the Marriage Idol
Absolutely, God cares about your marriage. He has a vested interest in how it reflects Him! That’s what He created it for. But, He also never forces someone into submitting to Him, nor does He expect anyone to submit themselves to enabling sinful behavior. That implies that your marriage being restored, broken covenant that it is, holds no power over your ability to find wholeness and healing. Yes, it was a gift that might have brought a sense of joy, as gifts do. But, clinging to that gift as if it is your life makes it an idol.
God wants you to simply cling to Him.
Life and Security in God
You desire to be emotionally healthy and have healthy relationships? Let God be your life. You long for peace in the middle of all the chaos around you? Dump your cares at the foot of the cross. You weary of feeling lost and alone? Start paying attention to the ways He shows you His nearness and love every day. You feel compelled to love a prodigal? Do it as worship to God, leaving the outcome in His hands.
Let go of your idols. God may very well have you exactly where you are so you can become aware of what those idols might be. Turn your eyes from the gifts, and put them soundly upon the Gift-giver.
Embracing God vs. The Idol of Marriage
He loves you too much to let you go through the rest of your life putting your hope in an idol, even if that idol was designed to be a powerful reflection, and experience, of Him.
By recognizing when marriage becomes an idol and shifting your focus back to God, you can find true peace, steadfastness, and emotional health. Let God be your foundation and the source of your hope, allowing Him to hold your times in his hands. The story may still be a crazy adventure. But he will hold you through it.
Next Steps
Are you recognizing the false sense of security you’ve been clinging to in your marriage? Are you desperately looking for a “fixed marriage” to fix the pain and brokenness you feel? If you are ready to navigate the story differently, we would love to help you set out on a new path. Schedule a session today with one of our expert coaches.
