\ˌpər-sə-ˈvir\

per·se·vere \ˌpər-sə-ˈvir\

Definition: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement

I just finished reading the chapter entitled "Sacred History: Building the Spiritual Discipline of Perseverance" in the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. Thomas provides a few reasons why perseverance is a difficult concept for married couples in today's day and age:

1. People are faced with potentially longer marriages due to advancements in medicine. Men and women live longer. Childbirth is a safer experience for women. In 1911, the average length of a marriage was 28 years. By 1967, that number increased to 42 years. Therefore, people are faced with loving each other for a longer time through the natural ebbs and flows of marriage.

2. Life is far too easy for North Americans. If we do not like something, we get right of it and buy something new. If we experience pain, we eliminate it through pain medication. If a math problem is too difficult, we give up after a few seconds and ask the teacher. This mentality has crept into our marriages. Once the situation becomes difficult, we often find a reason to leave, either mentally or physically.

3. Spouses place too many expectations on their partners. A husband or wife is expected to fulfill an unrealistic list of needs that only God can satisfy. Therefore, when one partner "fails", the other partner either becomes painfully dissatisfied with the relationship or obsessively fixated on repairing his or her spouse. Changing oneself seems like a foreign concept.

4. In a society saturate with idealistic romantic images from the flickering lights of Hollywood, we ask ourselves the spiritually dangerous question, "Did I marry the 'right' person?" Individuals super analyse their relationships for "rightness" with the fickle measurement of feelings. People "fall in love" and "out of love" regularly.

Instead, Thomas encourages Christians to perseverance in marriage. He asks us to consider God's example as a source of inspiration. In God's relationship with his people, "There were times of great joy and celebration, frustration and anger, infidelity and apostasy, and excruciating seasons of silence," (pg. 105). Yet, God was always faithful. And He continually perseveres!

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." 2 Thessalonians 3:5

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