The Stinky Bits

Have you ever been driving down the road and come across an awful smell? This happened to me the other day when I was on my way to work. The smell was so bad, it affected the chai tea I was enjoying! I looked around in my mirrors to see if I had hit a skunk or if some sort of road kill, but I couldn’t see anything. The smell was overwhelming, and I could think of nothing but getting rid of the stink! I even thought I might have to wash my truck to ensure the smell did not linger. Fortunately, the smell was localized and passed some miles down the road. Perhaps you have experienced an ornery rodent who refused to leave your wall space and died leaving you with an putrid “present”. Your all-consuming thought is to do anything it takes to get rid of the odiferous gift.

Sometimes our relationships can have stinky bits too. Things in our past or things we wished we had done or said differently that cause us to cringe when we think of them. Maybe an anniversary or birthday we missed, a flare of unjustified anger followed by hurtful words or a task we said we would do but never quite got around to it. The stench from these poor choices can permeate into our lives and cause no end of grief and frustration. When this happens in your marriage rest assured, you are not alone.

Scripture reminds us that, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NIV). This means we all have “stinky bits” in our lives because we can never measure up to the holiness of God. The great news is, “God demonstrates His own love towards us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Therefore, even though we were reveling in our foulness, before we knew God, He had a plan and made a way to deal with the stench!

To build a healthy marriage we must allow the Holy Spirit to drive us to think of nothing other than getting rid of these assaults on our senses. The amazing nature of our incredible God will always deal with the “stinky bits”. He assures us clearly that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He promises that if we come to Him, repent and confess our filthiness, He is always faithful to not only forgive us but do away with the awful smell!

So, as you recognize the “stinky bits” in your marriage, I would encourage you to first; run to our Heavenly Father, confess the malodor and in humility allow the Holy Spirit to correct what is wrong. Second, if need be, go to your spouse, ask for forgiveness and allow them in humility and the power of the Holy Spirit, to forgive. The resulting fresh air will exhilarate a deeper growth in your marriage and a closer walk with our awesome God!