Marriage Can Be Heaven, Hell, or Limbo

by Dr. Gary Chapman

The biblical picture of marriage is the blending of two lives into a new unit which will both satisfy the individuals involved, and serve the purposes of God.  

Our hearts cry out for intimacy. We were made to share life with another person and with God. God created marriage to be the most intimate of all human relationships. 

We are going to share our life in all ways: emotionally, socially, intellectually, physically, and spiritually.

The degree to which we experience this kind of intimacy, to that degree is how much we will find deep satisfaction in marriage. 

To the degree that we fail to do this, we find marriage very empty. 

Thousands of couples have never experienced what God designed marriage to provide. They live isolated lives, independent of each other but under the same roof, which magnifies the problem. 

Intimacy requires long term commitment through action .... to talk, listen, and seek to understand.  

The most vital piece is that together we plan and live our lives in fellowship with God. This is marriage at its best. Without sharing God and sharing  faith, most of the depth is not there.

Article written by Dr. Gary Chapman.  Based on the book, The Marriage You've Always Wanted by Dr. Gary Chapman. Published by Moody Publishing, copyright 2009.