For much of my life, I believed that marriage was essentially a human contract—a mutual understanding between two people who agreed to share their lives together. In my mind, the essence of marriage was affection, companionship, and mutual benefit. If those qualities disappeared, or if difficulties arose that seemed insurmountable, I once thought separation or divorce was simply a natural outcome. After all, if two people were no longer happy, what was the point of continuing?
This perspective shifted profoundly when I began reflecting more deeply on the meaning of the words found in Scripture: “What God has joined together, let no man separate.” At first, I had heard those words in weddings without giving them much thought, but gradually I came to see that they contain a truth far greater than a ceremonial phrase. They speak to the very nature of marriage—not as a contract written by human hands, but as a covenant designed and blessed by God Himself.
Understanding this changed my outlook entirely. I began to realize that marriage is not something people enter into lightly or exit from easily. It is sacred. When a couple commits themselves to one another in the presence of God, their union is more than an agreement; it is a divine joining. If God is the one who brings two souls together, then it is not for human weakness, pride, or circumstance to decide when that bond should end.
This change in perspective also reshaped how I view challenges within relationships. Where once I saw arguments, disappointments, or even long seasons of difficulty as reasons to doubt the validity of a marriage, I now see them as part of the covenantal journey. Love is not sustained merely by fleeting feelings of passion or harmony, but by a conscious choice to remain faithful, to forgive, and to keep nurturing the bond that God has established. Just as storms test the strength of a tree’s roots, trials test the depth of marital commitment.
I have also come to recognize the strength and dignity of couples who embody this belief—those who stand by one another through illness, financial struggle, or profound differences. They reflect something divine, a love that perseveres against the odds and refuses to be undone by human frailty. Their example reminds me that true commitment is not about convenience but about covenant.
In the end, the issue I have changed my mind about is the permanence of marriage. I no longer view it as something temporary, fragile, or conditional upon happiness alone. Instead, I see it as a lifelong journey of grace, sacrifice, and faith. The words “what God has joined together” now remind me that marriage is not ours to dissolve but ours to protect and honor. This realization has given me a deeper respect not only for the institution of marriage but also for the God who designed it as a reflection of His enduring love for us.
Foundation for Lasting Relationship 