Sir Peter the Knight
In the UK and beyond Bear Grylls is the personification of adventure, survival and courage – truly a brave man. Just as brave is a husband who goes to comfort his estranged wife after her lover had left her.
The world’s way to “cut off that person” and “I am entitled to happiness, so I am filing for a divorce” sounds so simple that I so easily forget that Paul had warned us that our battle is not against flesh and blood. Our battle is a spiritual one – against the enemy who aims to destroy especially Christian marriages. This changes my perception to the extent that I can follow Nehemiah’s advice: “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” (Nehemiah 4:14b New Living Translation)
I don’t have to follow the world’s way – God’s Word offers valuable advice in times of crisis. Having the privilege of being a child of God, I also have the responsibility to honour Him by using the weapons He provides: forgiveness and unconditional love. I could so easily allow disappointment by my spouse/child/parents/friends to grow into resentment. And, when I harbour a grudge having been hurt in the past, bitterness begins to “ferment”, growing into jealousy, discord and even unwise, sinful behaviour. So, in my own struggle for fulfilment and recognition I miss the opportunities God wants to use to show this person opposite me how very special he/she is to Him.
However, when I allow the Spirit of God to take control of my life, He begins to heal the pain and disappointment that could have grown into bitterness. God does not change, He is faithful, He doesn’t make mistakes – and He looks lovingly upon me and upon this “neighbour” who irritates me and disappoints me no end. Who am I to refuse to demonstrate a Jesus attitude towards this person who has wronged me?
As a professing Christian my life is always under scrutiny as a note in our guestbook recently reminded me: “Your example has shown me what a marriage should look like.” This guest hadn’t been in our home the previous week when my standoffish cold-shouldering did everything but bear the image of Christ! Therefore, it is of the ultimate importance that I, who bear the Name of Christ, should take up his weapons of prayer, faith, hope, love, his Word, and the Holy Spirit. Our weapons for attack and defence is after all not a stream of offensive words or even legal action, but to do the will of God – powerful and effective!
The only thing that counts, is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6b NIV) For this we need courage indeed!