The GRACE of Christ, and it alone, can make marriage what God intended it to be: “A means for the blessing and upliftment of humanity.”

And thus the families of Earth, in their unity, love, and peace, can represent the family of Heaven.

Today, as in Christ's time, the condition of society presents a sad picture of the heavenly ideal for this sacred relationship. Nevertheless, even for those who have encountered bitterness and disappointment when they had hoped for companionship and joy, the gospel of Christ offers comfort:

1. The patience and tenderness that His Spirit can impart will soften the condition of bitterness.

If your heart is embittered by disappointments and shattered dreams, seek the presence of the Holy Spirit in your heart, and He will fill you with patience and tenderness that will soften your sorrow.

2. The heart in which Christ dwells will be so full, so satisfied with His love, that it will not be consumed by the desire to attract sympathy and attention to itself.

Let Jesus “dwell” in your heart—that is, enter and remain there forever. Often we seek Jesus in our sorrow, but soon after we let Him leave and continue in our pain, failing to benefit from the blessing of His continuous presence. The result is that we immediately begin to look at ourselves and feel sorry for ourselves instead of appreciating Jesus' presence and letting Him satisfy us with the love only He can give. When we let Jesus dwell in us, our heart will be completely filled with Christ's love, and our needs will be met.

3. By surrendering the heart to God, His wisdom can accomplish what human wisdom fails to do.

Many of us go through difficult situations in our marriage that seem impossible to resolve, and we despair because we cannot see a solution. But God, in His wisdom, knows exactly how to resolve every situation, and when we surrender our heart to Him, His wisdom will accomplish what we need.

Through the revelation of His GRACE, hearts that were once indifferent or disaffected can be united in bonds stronger and more lasting than those of Earth—the golden bonds of love that will endure the heat of trial.

The Greatest Discourse of Christ, p. 44. (Comments in italics).

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