Years ago, my father was frustrated with my mother and decided to give her the silent treatment. Or, as we call it, the “cold shoulder-deluxe.” He went around all day not speaking to her, and when he had to speak he would only give a one word answer. Well, this went on for a few hours until my mother had had enough. She went and quietly hid herself behind a door without telling anyone. She remained as still and quiet as she could, until finally my father got worried because he hadn’t seen her in a while. He began searching the house. He looked, and looked. Then, when he walked right by, she jumped out on his back, scaring him and saying, “I am not getting off until you cheer up!” They laughed and laughed until my father could no longer remember what he was upset about.
Every couple will face difficulty in marriage, but the ones who learn how to overcome disagreements are the ones who will succeed.
Today, some of the greatest spiritual attacks are on our homes. The enemy works hard to divide families and bring strife into marriages. That’s why it is so vital for us to learn how to fight for our most important relationships.
Clayton and Ashlee Hurst have served faithfully here at Lakewood Church for more than a decade. We love the joy and leadership they bring to our family of ministries. Victoria and I have appreciated both their commitment to each other and their commitment to the people of Lakewood, and that’s why we asked them to oversee the marriage and parenting ministry here at Lakewood.
Clayton and Ashlee will be the first to tell you they are not perfect. They don’t have all the answers. But what they do have is a willingness to share all the ways God has worked in their marriage over the years knowing that if He did it for them, He will do it for you too.
In Hope for Your Marriage, Clayton and Ashlee openly share the difficulty they faced in their first five years of marriage. Young married couples often don’t realize what is going wrong and Clayton and Ashlee were no different. They didn’t know what they didn’t know. Slowly, over time, as they let God work in their relationship, they began to see the fruit.
In Hope for Your Marriage you will find encouragement for your marriage no matter where you are on your journey. Maybe you’re engaged and wondering what the days ahead hold for you. This book is for you. Maybe you are a newlywed, enjoying the afterglow of your honeymoon. This book is for you. Maybe you’ve made it through the first twenty years of marriage and are searching for a fresh wind in your relationship. This book is for you too. Or maybe you’ve been through a lot of pain in your marriage and are considering a separation. Yes, Hope for Your Marriage is for you too.
No matter where you are in your marriage, stay committed to your spouse and watch what God does on your behalf. Remain faithful and don’t quit. Your family and friends will see the difference. God will also see the difference and honor you for it.
There is hope for your marriage!
Pastor Joel Osteen
Lakewood Church