Holiness Above Happiness in Marriage

Imagine we are sitting in the living room having a good cup of coffee, and I ask you this uncomfortable question: Why did you get married? If you are honest, most would probably answer: 'To be happy'. The world has sold us the idea that marriage is like an all-inclusive cruise, where the spouse is there to bring us drinks and make our lives joyful.

But what if I told you that God's design is much deeper than our simple comfort? Gary Thomas, a great Christian author, asks a question that shakes our foundation: 'What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?'. That phrase completely changes the rules of the game.

The raw truth is that marriage is the intensive workshop God uses to polish our selfishness. Think about it: before getting married, you could leave your shoes lying around, spend your money however you wanted, and sleep without anyone stealing the blanket. When you get married, suddenly, your most hidden flaws come to light.