My husband and I met when I was only 16 years old. I fell head-over-heels for him, and we married shortly after I graduated high school. Marrying young is a challenge within itself, but it's an even bigger challenge when you are unequally yoked; I am a Christian, and my husband is of a different faith.
 
As you can imagine, our differences in religion have caused a lot of tension. I have often struggled with how to be supportive of my husband and respect his beliefs, even though I don't agree with them. For years, I ignored the Holy Spirit's warnings and selfishly worked on trying to 'save' my husband by telling him his beliefs were wrong. This led to arguments, bitterness, and resentment. My husband put up walls around his heart. We stopped discussing religion altogether.
 
Then, God began to work in my heart, and He changed me. I can honestly say that God saved our marriage. He taught me how to submit to, love, and respect my husband.  Most importantly, I learned how to listen to the Holy Spirit and control my tongue. Now, when I look back, I can't believe the kind of wife I used to be. Christina's plan for marriage had failed; but thankfully, God's plan for our marriage prevailed!
 
His plan is still prevailing. As my husband continues to become more involved in his church, God has brought me to my knees, and for the first time in my life, I am truly relying on Him. I am stepping out in faith, putting my marriage and my children in His hands. It's definitely easier said than done, but God is teaching me so much during this difficult journey. Regardless of the tears and pain they bring, I am grateful for these trials because they have brought me closer to God than I could have ever dreamed.
 
The single biggest mistake I made during the course of our marriage was putting my husband before God. Ladies, your relationship with God needs to come first! It doesn't matter whether the focus on our husband is positive or negative; by putting him before God, we are sinning. Make Him your priority. I have gotten into the habit of setting aside time every night to pray and read my Bible. It gives me the strength and the hope to get through each day.
 
I find so much hope in 1 Peter 3:1-2: "Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives." If we have an intimate relationship with our Savior, we become the light in the darkness for our husbands. God will use us! We don't need to be perfect; we just need to be faithful and willing.
 
This year, my husband and I will be celebrating 9 years together. For the most part, we have a happy marriage; but of course, that doesn't mean that we do not have struggles. This journey has been extremely difficult, and I know it is far from over. Yet, I know I can face anything, as long as I draw my strength from the Lord.  (Philippians 4:13) I am often reminded of the words of Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'" Friends, God has a plan for me, and He has a plan for you. Do not lose heart! He is always faithful.

 

Christina and her husband have been happily married for 7 years and have two children. 

Father, I praise You for Jesus. He is the Bread of life. I ask that _____________ will see and understand that Jesus is the only hope for salvation. Cause _____________ to know that it is only by receiving Him that a person receives eternal life. I plead that _________________ would surrender to Jesus Christ, receiving Him as his/her personal Lord and Savior.(John 6:35).