Us Against the World: Faith

It Begins and Ends with Jesus

It is my conviction that marriage is such a good idea, only God could have thought of it. ~ Myles Munroe

David

When people ask us how Tam and I have made it to where we are today, there is really only one answer: Jesus

Because of our faith in Jesus, we have seen miracles in our marriage. Because of our faith in him, we have been able to encourage one another through anything.

Tamela

David is absolutely right. Jesus is the center of it all for us. The music, the stage, the awards, the ratings, the ups, the downs — all of it has been wonderful, but the truth is, none of it would’ve mattered — or even have been possible — without God. No amount of success or fame matters unless it glorifies God. David and I have tried to teach our children this since they were born, and we try our best to be examples of God’s love in the world. What we have is not because of us. Our journey is all because of Jesus. Without Him we are nothing. Because of Him, we can do anything.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS: JESUS

I’ll never forget what happened when our youngest child, Tia, turned two years old. She was sick, and at first we thought she had a common cold. Despite our efforts she was not getting any better. Then her illness got worse, so we thought it was the flu. Her condition grew worse and worse, so we took her to the hospital. By that point we were scared. She was crying with no tears, and she wasn’t urinating. Doctors evaluated her and said she had an infection and was severely dehydrated. Without immediate intervention she would die. These are words no mother or father should ever have to hear.

David had to hold baby Tia while they put an IV needle into her small body. Negative thoughts began to plague me. I thought, Babies die from illnesses like this. But the peace of God entered into the room. David looked and me and said, “We’ve got to trust God.” He was right! The situation was out of our control, but God was in control. While Tia was in that hospital room, I prayed like never before. I believe God heard our prayers and healed our daughter. Prayer still works! God is faithful.

I can’t speak to everybody else’s experience, but that incident is just one of many — prayer has been essential in our marriage. I can’t stress enough how important prayer is to the health of anyone’s marriage. Prayer is the key to living a peaceful life with God. Prayer is the root of our communication with God. It is the way we connect to Heaven. And when life seems impossible, the confidence David and I have is in this one undeniable truth:

God hears us. God hears our cry, and God hears our needs. He has never stopped listening to us.

Knowing that has helped me to get through the rough days when I just wanted to let it all go.

And to those reading, let me encourage you. I know it gets hard sometimes, but God provides. He will never leave you nor forsake you. When you feel overwhelmed, go to God. God knows what you really need. He made your husband. He knows his flaws. He made you. He knows your flaws. Even if you don’t know what to do, God will guide you and direct you so that you can help each other and not hurt each other.

THE BEST MARRIAGES BEGIN AT THE FEET OF JESUS

David

It all begins with the King. Tam and I have no doubt that Jesus is the reason we are still in love today. And I believe if you are reading this and you do not have a relationship with Christ, the best decision you could make is to turn to Jesus. Your marriage can be good if you don’t pray, but it can be great when you do pray. Your marriage can be good if you don’t know the Lord, but it can be great when you do know the Lord. A threefold cord is not easily broken. When God is in the middle of your marriage, and when you both are committed to developing a relationship with Christ, the two of you can survive any storm. You can overcome any obstacle.

Honestly, I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have a wife who prayed for me. I don’t know who I would be if I didn’t have a relationship with God. One of my new favorite songs to hear Tam sing is a song called “The Potter.” The message of the song is simple: God is the Potter. We are the clay, so, as the clay, we just need to learn to let Him have His way. We need to let Him have His way in our marriage. We need to let Him have His way in our home. Sure, it may hurt for a moment, but when God works on you, you will never be the same.

LET GOD LEAD

Tamela

A lifestyle of prayer is not easy. It is far from easy, but I will tell you, it is better to let God lead than to live without Him. God is not a man that He should lie. He may test your faith and test your marriage, but He will always produce a treasure from the trial. And if you think it’s hard without children, just wait until babies start coming! As our children grew up, we had to learn to trust God on a whole new level.

I mean, let’s face it, all of us worry from time to time. But prayer turns worry into worship. Prayer turns sorrow into joy. Prayer allows you to pour your heart out to God, and as you do that, He strengthens you in the middle of your weakest day. I’m telling you what I know! As a parent, it was difficult to see my children make decisions that seemed to be in the opposite direction of God’s plan, but I had to take my hands off it. I had to trust God through it all. Surely, if you let God lead your life, He will cover those you love.

I’ve seen God move time and time again. And my family isn’t perfect, but we are learning to let God drive the car, steer the ship, and lead the family. No matter where you are in your journey, learn to trust in Jesus. Learn to trust in God. If you do, He will help you to get through it all.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terriffied because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. — Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

Excerpted with permission from Us Against the World by David and Tamela Mann, copyright David Mann and Tamela Mann.

* * *

Watch the Video

Your Turn

When Jesus is at the center, worry turns into worship. He is in control and He has a great plan even when imperfect things happen and even when there are struggles and trials. As David and Tamela can testify, God is faithful! Come share your thoughts on the faithfulness of Jesus on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily