I Want a New Marriage!

“I want a new marriage!” Have you ever yelled this statement out in frustration? It might have been after a fight, after another disappointment, or after another broken promise. The beauty and enchantment of the wedding day has long since faded away, and now you and your spouse are stuck in the mud and mire of a monotonous marriage. You’re not sure where or when the marriage went off track, but you’re sure that it’s headed in the wrong direction. You didn’t sign up for this.

“I want a new marriage!” Your fights seem to be broken records. Always revolving around the same issues (with money being #1), always using the same arguments, never making headway. All your fights do is add another layer of baggage to roll out the next time you fight. Perhaps you feel your spouse stopped trying in the marriage a long time ago. He or she withdrew, emotionally gave up, and you’re no longer lovers. You’re roommates.

“I want a new marriage!” You and your spouse had high hopes for your marriage. You were going to be different. You weren’t going to be like your parents. You were going to make it work. And you both worked hard. But somehow, someway, you got off course. You started careers, had kids, lived the life that you’re supposed to live. You don’t know when you started to drift, but you did. It wasn’t intentional. But maybe you looked up after ten years and realized, this isn’t the marriage you wanted. It’s as if you’re being swept away by a current and can’t do anything to stop it.

“I want a new marriage!” Maybe you feel your spouse is incredibly selfish. They won’t admit it, but you know the truth. They’re spoiled, self-centered, and always taking in the marriage, never giving. Maybe you’re tired of always giving. Maybe you’re tired of being the only one that’s trying to serve the other. After awhile, disappointment turns into bitterness and resentment, resulting in contempt. You secretly despise your spouse.

Whether intentional or not, many marriages end up at this place. We don’t want divorce to be an option because we see the collateral damage it leaves on everyone involved. And yet, it’s tempting to take it as the easiest short-term solution. For those who want to fight for their marriage, our next sermon series at Mt. Vernon is just for you. For those who want a new marriage but don’t know how to get there, we’re going to spend the next several weeks helping you fight for a new marriage (with your current spouse, of course). If you’re not in the Columbus area, you can check out the audio files of the messages on www.mtvchurch.com/listen.

Spread the word about our next series (share on Twitter or Facebook below), “I Want a New Marriage!”, and we’ll see you Sunday.