I Married My Best Friend

Introduction

Best friendships are built on smiles, tears, and shared moments that weave bonds of trust, love, and commitment. These bonds, when nurtured, become the foundation for unshakable relationships. The emotional depth created through shared joys and challenges lays a strong groundwork for love to flourish. As the quote by C.S. Lewis beautifully states, “Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” This kind of connection fosters understanding, empathy, and mutual respect, all of which are essential for a lasting marriage.

The Bible underscores this principle in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV):

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

A marriage founded on true friendship mirrors this wisdom, where two individuals become each other’s support system through life’s highs and lows.

The Reality of Christian Marriages Today

Statistically, Christians often face alarmingly high divorce rates. A significant factor contributing to this is the absence of a critical friendship stage before entering marriage. Many couples leap into romantic relationships without first establishing the foundational elements of friendship—communication, trust, and shared purpose. Without this strong base, the storms of life can quickly erode the bond, leaving couples feeling isolated and disconnected.

The Power of Friendship Before Marriage

1. Shared Understanding: Friendship provides the opportunity to truly know each other’s strengths, weaknesses, dreams, and fears without the pressure of romantic expectations.

2. Trust and Honesty: A friendship nurtures a safe space where vulnerability is met with acceptance. This habit of honesty and transparency becomes invaluable in marriage.

3. Conflict Resolution: Friends learn how to disagree and reconcile, building skills for resolving conflicts in a healthy and Christ-honoring manner.

4. Patience and Grace: In friendships, individuals learn to give grace and time for growth, which is essential for navigating the imperfections of a spouse.

5. Shared Values and Purpose: Friendships allow couples to align their faith, purpose, and goals, ensuring they’re walking the same path in Christ before committing to marriage.

Christ-Centric Values in Friendship and Marriage

1. Love: “Love is patient, love is kind… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Love in friendship is the training ground for selfless love in marriage.

2. Forgiveness: Friends learn to forgive minor offenses, preparing for the forgiveness needed in marriage. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

3. Service: Friendship teaches mutual service, reflecting Jesus’ servant heart. “Serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13).

4. Prayer: Friends who pray together set the foundation for a marriage built on God. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

Conclusion

Marrying your best friend is one of life’s greatest blessings, but it requires intentional effort to build a strong friendship before saying, “I do.” A Christ-centered friendship becomes the fertile soil where a thriving, God-honoring marriage can grow. Let us remember that the greatest friendships and marriages are built not just on shared experiences but on the solid rock of Christ, the ultimate Friend who shows us how to love deeply and faithfully.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Corpse in the Backyard

Introduction: Everyone has a backyard ,the place where they bury the painful, shameful, or terrifying parts of their past. The corpse in the backyard is symbolic of those unresolved experiences: betrayal, poverty, rejection, fear. Though buried, they still rot and release a stench that seeps into every part of a person’s life. And the tragedy? While you are busy maintaining the backyard checking if the corpse is still hidden, covering the smell, reinforcing the fence you neglect the front yard: the now, the next, the new. 1. The Corpse of Betrayal You were loyal. You were honest. But they weren’t. Now every new relationship is judged by the standard of the pain you buried. You became a detective instead of a lover. Suspicion replaced vulnerability. And even when good love shows up, you chase it away because you’re too busy guarding your backyard. “ Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah 43:18-19 2. The Corpse of Poverty You k...
Read more

The Lost Truth About Love

  In the fast-paced, material-driven world we live in today, love has been misinterpreted and overshadowed by societal standards. Often, people equate love with provision, leadership, or vision—values that, while significant, do not define love in its true, Biblical sense. The Body of Christ needs to unplug from these societal expectations and return to the foundation of love as ordained by God. The Biblical Foundation of Love Ephesians 5:25 commands, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” This verse serves as a profound reminder that love is not merely about meeting physical needs or fulfilling societal roles but about self-sacrifice. The model of Christ’s love for the church is one of unwavering commitment, grace, and selflessness. Provision, leadership, and vision are outcomes of a love centered in Christ, not the seeds of it. Psalm 37:23 states, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” W...
Read more