Marriage is Hard (Susan Black)

Marriage is Hard

Truths I Wish I Had Understood Before I Got Married

Don’t all of us who are married wish the same!

The title may sound like something obvious, but many wives are afraid – or too dreamy-eyed – to admit it. They go into marriage with absurdly high expectations of bliss, and when things begin to get tough, they wonder if they made a mistake – the wrong choice? They look around and think that everyone else’s marriage is full of non-stop joy and pleasure.

The reality is that all marriages are hard because they all have unavoidable and unanticipated challenges and trials. Marriage is hard because it is the union of two sinners engaged in the eternal battle between self-centeredness and servanthood, between living for self or dying to self. Marriages can flourish or die on this battlefield. But God is faithful, and He has a gracious plan of heart-transformation for any wife who will commit her way to Him.

Great for small group Bible Study. Study questions for each of the ten chapters.

About the Author

Susan Black is a pastor’s wife and a teacher. She has enjoyed communicating the truths contained in this book to many other wives who have experienced the unanticipated challenges of marriage. As a disillusioned young bride, she discovered that the ancient truths of Scripture are timeless – offering life-giving, heart-changing and practical instruction for building a strong, intimate, growing and God-honoring marriage. Susan and her husband Rob have been married for 33 years and have three adult sons.

Endorsements

“Marriage is Hard has all the understanding that a student can gain in a good biblical counseling class, plus those little but vital insights that come from being a wife; the way small irritants can fester, expectations can destroy, and thoughts can make us ready to pounce. It’s an excellent study for wives and women’s Bible study groups.” — Susan Olasky, World Magazine

“If you are a woman, married or single, this book is a “must read.” Susan writes out of the overflow of her own life. Her use of Scripture is not preachy, but extremely insightful. Marriage is not easy, but it will be easier with the truth found in this book.” — Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages

Table of Contents

1. My Love is Not Enough
2. The Depth of My Sin
3. The Magnitude of God’s Grace
4. God’s Grace, Part 2
5. Marriage is a Process – Love is Learned
6. Expectations Can be Deadly
7. Respect is Given, Not Earned
8. Forgiveness is a Choice, Not a Feeling
9. God is Enough
10. Wise Wives Share Their Stories
11. Epilogue: One Final Thought – A Costly Love

Discussion Questions