10/12/2025
Marriage carries the sacred promise of love in sickness and the marriage vow to stand by each other in “in sickness and in health.” Recently, my husband faced a challenging health ordeal—a surgery described by his doctor as a “rotor rooter job” on his bladder due to prostate issues. As a woman, it’s tempting to see this as a humorous twist of fate, a kind of cosmic payback for the countless exams we endure during pregnancy or routine women’s health checkups. I’ll admit that thought crossed my mind, too! But God stepped in during those sleepless nights, transforming my heart amid the 2 a.m. cries of “HOOOONEEEEY!”—shifting my grumpiness into compassion.
OVERCOMING GRUMPINESS WITH GOD’S GRACE
It’s easy to feel irritated when our peace is disrupted, especially at ungodly hours without a hint of coffee. Those early morning calls tested my patience, tempting me to snap back. Yet, I was reminded of our marriage vow before God: “to love in sickness.” There’s no clause for grumpiness when sleep is lost. Yes, I’m exhausted, but that’s where God’s grace steps in.
RENEWING STRENGTH WITH SCRIPTURE
This is where spending time with God becomes vital, even when I’m too tired to sit with Him. The enemy prowls around, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), especially when we’re weary and our guards are down. It’s in these vulnerable moments that strife can creep into our marriage. However, God renews our strength, hearts, and minds (Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…”). He never sleeps (Psalm 121:4: “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep”), and He’s there the moment we call His name, whether He is talking to a fellow Christian or it’s someone else in need of Him across the globe.
COMPASSION POURED OUT IN TRIALS
God filled me with compassion to pour into my husband during these trials, as I reflected love in sickness. This even mirrors the Scripture where Jesus teaches about persistence in prayer, using the parable of the friend who knocks at midnight. (Luke 11:5-8). If you haven’t read that parable. We never know—we might be entertaining angels (Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it”). No, my husband is no stranger, but he is strange…lol!! The lesson is still the same.. love in sickness and give compassion when I don’t feel like it. In these hard moments, God’s strength shines through us, enabling us to press on and still give Him glory.
PRACTICAL LOVE IN ACTION
Dear warrior, no matter the hour of inconvenience, pour that Godly compassion into your spouse. These trying times are opportunities to live out our vows. My husband’s health struggles reminded me that love isn’t just a feeling—it’s love in sickness, it’s a choice, strengthened by God’s presence. As we wait on Him, He cares for us, turning our exhaustion into endurance and grumpiness into grace.
Let’s lean on His Word and presence to uphold our marriage vows, even when we’re too tired to go on. God’s glory shines brightest when we love through sickness and health, no matter the challenge
