Pray For A Steadfast Heart
One of the greatest obstacles to marriage restoration is our own doubt and unbelief, so we must focus on strengthening our faith, because as Hebrews 11:6 tells us And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. In fact, when we don’t live by faith, God is not pleased with us, as we see in Hebrews 10:38, which says ”But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” And these verses in James 1 take that even further, because they very clearly state that a lack of faith can keep the Lord from answering our prayers:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Many years ago I heard a phrase I use when I need to make sure my thoughts line up with the promises and confidence I have in the word of God, which is “Who’s report are you going to believe?” So NO MATTER WHAT WE HEAR OR WHAT WE SEE that tends to make us doubtful, we have to remember God’s promise in Proverbs 21:30, which says There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
In the end, it comes down to whether or not we believe in the absolutely omnipotent might and power of our Lord and Savior, and the promises we have in His word, the Bible. We demonstrate that when we live by the words of faith we speak. Unless we believe God is a liar, we shouldn’t be swayed by every little (or big) thing that comes along in the natural realm trying to convince us that the restoration of our marriage is hopeless or impossible. That’s why it’s SO important to follow these instructions found in 2 Corinthians 10:5, which says We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
So “persevere” (hang in there!) in the grace and strength of the Lord, and when you do falter, which you probably will, just make that an opportunity to demonstrate your faith in the Lord by asking Him to create in you a steadfast heart so you can realize the awesome promises we have in these verses in Psalm 112:
6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.