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In week 18 of our 30-week marriage devotional series on the Marriage After God podcast, we talk about something every couple will face: Pressure. Trials. Overwhelm. And we opened with a simple but honest question: Do you feel overwhelmed right now?
Because the truth is, every marriage will experience hardship. Jesus makes that clear in John 16:33:
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
He doesn’t promise a trial-free marriage. He promises peace in Him.
When we talk about a resilient marriage, we mean a marriage that:
Resilience isn’t pretending everything is fine. It’s trusting Jesus in the middle of the storm.
We often hear the phrase, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” But that’s not what Scripture says. The Bible tells us He won’t let us be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13), but many times in life we are given more than we can handle on our own — so that we would rely on Him.
We are finite. Limited. We cannot control everything.
But we serve a Savior who overcame everything.
In 2 Corinthians 4:8–9, Paul writes:
Why? Because the life of Jesus is manifested in us.
That is the heart of Christian marriage encouragement:
We do not stand strong because we are strong.
We stand because Christ lives in us.
When pressures hit — parenting burdens, financial stress, broken car keys, health concerns, cultural chaos — we remind ourselves and each other:
Perspective changes everything.
One of the greatest ways we build resilience is through encouragement.
Scripture tells us in Ephesians 4:15 to speak “the truth in love.” Our words matter. They reveal what we believe and shape how we respond to trials.
There is power in saying:
And there is destruction in:
As we wrote in Husband After God:
“Your marriage and the legacy you establish under the authority of God will be fueled by the words you speak and how you speak them.”
One of our favorite verses is 2 Peter 1:3:
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
Not someday. Not when we feel ready.
Right now.
If you belong to Christ, you already have everything you need to walk faithfully through trials.
Take a moment to intentionally encourage your spouse.
A resilient marriage isn’t built on perfect circumstances.
It’s built on imperfect people clinging to a perfect Savior.
And because Jesus has overcome the world — your marriage can stand strong too.
Marriage After God Podcast – Week 18 (30-Week Devotional Series)
In this episode, ### and ### talk about how to build a resilient marriage when facing trials, pressures, and overwhelming seasons. They unpack what Scripture says about suffering, perspective, encouragement, and the power of words in strengthening a Christian marriage.
Jesus promised that we would face tribulation (John 16:33), but He also promised peace in Him. This episode reminds couples that resilience is not about avoiding hardship — it’s about trusting Christ through it.
Discussion Angle: How does eternal perspective help you endure present struggles?
Core Message: You already have everything you need in Jesus.
Marriage Application:
Practical ways to strengthen your marriage:
Take intentional time this week to:
Continue reading...
In week 18 of our 30-week marriage devotional series on the Marriage After God podcast, we talk about something every couple will face: Pressure. Trials. Overwhelm. And we opened with a simple but honest question: Do you feel overwhelmed right now?
Because the truth is, every marriage will experience hardship. Jesus makes that clear in John 16:33:
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
He doesn’t promise a trial-free marriage. He promises peace in Him.
Building a Resilient Marriage in Difficult Seasons
When we talk about a resilient marriage, we mean a marriage that:
- Gets back up when knocked down
- Is afflicted but not crushed
- Is pressured but not destroyed
- Recovers readily because Christ is its foundation
Resilience isn’t pretending everything is fine. It’s trusting Jesus in the middle of the storm.
We often hear the phrase, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” But that’s not what Scripture says. The Bible tells us He won’t let us be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13), but many times in life we are given more than we can handle on our own — so that we would rely on Him.
We are finite. Limited. We cannot control everything.
But we serve a Savior who overcame everything.
Encouragement for Marriage During Trials
In 2 Corinthians 4:8–9, Paul writes:
- “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed.”
- “Perplexed, but not driven to despair.”
- “Struck down, but not destroyed.”
Why? Because the life of Jesus is manifested in us.
That is the heart of Christian marriage encouragement:
We do not stand strong because we are strong.
We stand because Christ lives in us.
When pressures hit — parenting burdens, financial stress, broken car keys, health concerns, cultural chaos — we remind ourselves and each other:
- This is temporary.
- Eternity is forever.
- “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).
Perspective changes everything.
The Power of Words in Marriage
One of the greatest ways we build resilience is through encouragement.
Scripture tells us in Ephesians 4:15 to speak “the truth in love.” Our words matter. They reveal what we believe and shape how we respond to trials.
There is power in saying:
- “You can.”
- “God is with us.”
- “We will get through this.”
And there is destruction in:
- “You always fail.”
- “Nothing will change.”
- “This is hopeless.”
As we wrote in Husband After God:
“Your marriage and the legacy you establish under the authority of God will be fueled by the words you speak and how you speak them.”
You Lack Nothing in Christ
One of our favorite verses is 2 Peter 1:3:
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
Not someday. Not when we feel ready.
Right now.
If you belong to Christ, you already have everything you need to walk faithfully through trials.
A Challenge for Your Marriage This Week
Take a moment to intentionally encourage your spouse.
- Tell them why you’re grateful for them.
- Pray for them.
- Speak truth over them.
- Remind them who they are in Christ.
A resilient marriage isn’t built on perfect circumstances.
It’s built on imperfect people clinging to a perfect Savior.
And because Jesus has overcome the world — your marriage can stand strong too.
Episode Summary
Marriage After God Podcast – Week 18 (30-Week Devotional Series)
Episode Overview
In this episode, ### and ### talk about how to build a resilient marriage when facing trials, pressures, and overwhelming seasons. They unpack what Scripture says about suffering, perspective, encouragement, and the power of words in strengthening a Christian marriage.
Jesus promised that we would face tribulation (John 16:33), but He also promised peace in Him. This episode reminds couples that resilience is not about avoiding hardship — it’s about trusting Christ through it.
Key Scriptures Discussed
John 16:33 – “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus sympathizes with our weakness.
2 Corinthians 4:8–12 – Afflicted but not crushed.
Romans 8:18–26 – Present sufferings vs. future glory.
Ephesians 4:14–16 – Speaking the truth in love.
2 Peter 1:3 – God has given us everything we need for life and godliness.
Main Themes
1. Every Marriage Will Face Trials
No marriage is exempt from hardship.
Trials come in different forms and intensities.
The myth: “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”
The truth: We are finite and dependent on God.
2. Jesus Promised Tribulation — And Peace
John 16:33 sets the foundation.
Peace is not the absence of hardship.
Christ has already overcome the world.
Resilience comes from being rooted in Him.
3. Perspective Changes Everything
Romans 8:18 — Present suffering is temporary.
Eternal glory outweighs temporary pressure.
Creation itself groans for redemption.
Hope reframes hardship.
Discussion Angle: How does eternal perspective help you endure present struggles?
4. The Spirit Strengthens Us in Weakness
Hebrews 4:15 — Jesus understands our humanity.
The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8).
We are jars of clay carrying God’s power.
We lack nothing in Christ (2 Peter 1:3).
Core Message: You already have everything you need in Jesus.
5. The Power of Words in Marriage
Words reveal what we believe.
Speaking life vs. speaking discouragement.
Ephesians 4:15 — Speak truth in love.
Encouragement builds resilience.
Marriage Application:
Husbands and wives can either tear down or build up.
Encouragement is spiritual warfare.
Discouragement is a weapon — so is truth.
6. Encouraging Your Spouse During Hard Seasons
Practical ways to strengthen your marriage:
Pray together.
Text encouragement throughout the day.
Remind each other of Scripture.
Speak gratitude intentionally.
Create space for honest communication.
Reflection Questions
What pressures currently challenge your joy in marriage?
Why is it easier to believe the world’s voice than God’s Word?
Do your words build your spouse up or tear them down?
How can you shift your perspective to eternal hope?
Weekly Marriage Challenge
Take intentional time this week to:
- Tell your spouse why you are grateful for them.
- Speak Scripture over them.
- Pray for them by name.
- Encourage them in a specific area where they feel pressure.
Episode Takeaways
Resilience is not avoiding hardship — it’s trusting Christ through it.- You are finite, but Christ is not.
- Your current struggles are temporary.
- You have everything you need in Jesus.
- Your words have the power of life and death in your marriage.
Continue reading...
