By: Carolyn Johnson, Director, Restored Marriage

First of all, YOU cannot heal your marriage alone; it is the power of JESUS that brings restoration and reconciliation. However, you DO have a role to play during the process of restoration. Yes, it is difficult to stand in the midst of the unfaithfulness of a spouse when we become tired, drained and exhausted. But it is not impossible. So often, we ignore God’s plan of one day of rest per week and wonder why when we become anxious and weary. When we are tired, we are far more vulnerable to the voice of the devil.

I know that some of you are weary this very moment. You've been climbing a mountain of unbelief and fighting for your family and marriage for a very long time. You wake up with faith every day that something will change. But the climb seems never to end, the circumstance seems to only get worse and friends and family abandon us when we need their support the most.

We all have seasons of weariness where we question if our efforts are really worth it. The lie we hear over and over is that this season will never end. But it is just that...... a lie. The Word says in Galatians 6:9 (AMP), “Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.” It is a tactic of the devil to just wear us down until we feel we have no strength to continue to stand for marriage restoration. But it is a lie.

According to Matthew 11:28 (AMP), “’Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation],’” JESUS is the one who provides the refreshing for our soul. He does this when we take time out of every day to sit still and quiet with Him. When our minds are quiet the Lord can speak. When we give our time to Him, He is faithful to provide refreshment. The evil one says, “You will never find contentment and happiness because your spouse is not coming home.” But he is the father of lies. Jeremiah 31:25 (AMP) states, “For I [fully] satisfy the weary soul, and I replenish every languishing and sorrowful person.” Try this.......instead of believing the lies of the enemy, spend 10 minutes each morning waiting for the Lord to speak to you. Then carry that nugget of refreshment with you throughout the day. Remember it when the enemy comes knocking on the door of your mind again. Recall what the Lord has said to you and declare it to be true. Let THE TRUTH of His Word wash over your mind, body and soul.

There is a light at the end of this tunnel and it is not a train sent to run you down. Jesus is the light of the world. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 (ESV) There is an end to this season. However, until the end arrives you are to persevere. Jesus has given you grace; and with this grace comes the power to do what He has called you to do. It is not YOUR strength, but His power and His strength. “Then the Lord answered me and said, ‘Write the vision and engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets so that the one who reads it will run. For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time. It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, Because it will certainly come; it will not delay.’” Habakkuk 2:2-3 (AMP) Wait patiently for your vision because it is coming!

I know that for some of you there is a storm brewing inside of your spirit. You are being battered with wind and hail from the inside. But let this message penetrate your internal storm. God sees you. He is for you. There is an unseen plan that is unfolding. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many plans are in a man’s mind, But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).” (AMP) Trust Him.

For today... just rest and persevere.

Keep your head in the game and don't give in to the weariness. Sing a sacrifice of praise and keep going simply because of all that Jesus has already done for you.It's okay to want to lay down the cross you are carrying. But remember Jesus' example; set your mind to follow it and persevere through this cloud of weariness.Tomorrow is a new day. And it will be one day closer to reaching the vision that God has placed in your heart.