The marriage triangle: You, your spouse and kids fulfilling God's purpose

One of the greatest blessings in a marriage is having children. And one of the most damaging aspects of a marriage are—having children.

How do you keep your marriage and parenting the blessings that God meant them to be? You do it by remembering these four things: why God created marriage and children, what purpose they serve, who they're for, and the priority they have.

God created both marriage and children to make you holy rather than provide you with temporal and sporadic periods of happiness. Marriage and children should always draw you to your knees in prayer and thanksgiving to God as you humbly ask for His wisdom and love so that you might deal rightly and kindly with your spouse and your children (Philippians 4:4-6).

All aspects of a Christian's life is contained in the greatest commandment, "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" and to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mk 12:30-31). From this, we can clearly ascertain that everything, including marriage and children are for the glory and exaltation of Christ alone (Revelation 4:11), for without Him, we would have nothing good in this life or the next.

Many Christians will readily agree with the statements above for why God created marriage, the purpose they serve and who they're for. Usually, the problem arises when the desires of your child is lifted above the desires of your spouse.

God said He made you "one" with your spouse, not your children.

Our priorities in life must align with God's word. The Lord is clear He uses marriage as the earthly paradigm of Christ's relationship to His Bride, the Church (Eph 5:24-25). Which means you should never allow your children to come between you and your spouse.

The love, peace and oneness of marriage takes precedence over your children's desires, your desires for your children or over parenting disagreements you might have with your spouse.

Wives, submit to your husbands in everything as it is written in God's word. Husbands honor your wives as the weaker vessel so your prayers won't be hindered (1 Peter 3:7). And both of you should remember to keep God's divine order for your family, trusting that God will surely provide whatever is necessary for your child as you honor your spouse and his/her desires before you give to your child.

Don't cause the unbelieving world to malign God's word by allowing anything (including your children) to divide you and your spouse. Protect your marriage from anything or anyone who dares to separate what God has brought together.