FAITH OVER FRUSTRATION: TRUSTING GOD IN OUR MARRIAGE JOURNEY WITH MS
When I was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012, I didn’t realize how much it would affect not only my body but also my marriage. MS came in like an uninvited guest that refused to leave, changing our daily routines, our energy levels, and sometimes, even our patience. What I didn’t expect was how much this journey would test our faith and our love.
There are days when MS feels like too much. The fatigue, the unpredictable symptoms, the emotional rollercoaster can all make even the smallest tasks feel heavy. And when you’re married, your spouse carries some of that weight with you. There were moments when frustration tried to overtake me when I wanted to be strong but my body said otherwise, or when my husband didn’t quite understand how exhausted I really felt. But here’s what I’ve learned: Faith is the bridge that keeps love from collapsing under the weight of frustration. And love or faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted. Every time of testing it shows what you are really made of. I often say to couples I counsel, “Adversity always introduces you to your real self.”
God reminded me that my worth was never in what I do, but in who I am. And when my husband didn’t know how to help me, God gave us both grace for each other that says, “we don’t have to have it all figured out; we will love each other through this.”
We started praying together more intentionally. Not just big, fancy prayers but simple, honest ones. “Lord, give us strength for today.” “Lord, help me be patient.” “Lord, remind us that we’re on the same team.” And somehow, in those prayers, peace started to outweigh frustration. And WE became a team.
There are still days I get weary. But each time I feel weak, I remember 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” That verse hits differently when weakness becomes part of your everyday reality. It reminds me that God is doing something powerful, even in the middle of what feels unbearable.
We marry and say those infamous words “in sickness and health, I take you” but really don’t compute that really might happen in your marriage. Our faith has strengthened, our love deepened, and the spiritual connection we now have is stronger than ever. We’ve learned in our faith to take the pressure off of us and place it on God with deeper dependence.
To any couple walking through chronic illness: Don’t let frustration win. Let faith lead. Let prayer soften your hearts. Let grace be your guide and language. Your story might look different now, but that doesn’t mean it’s less beautiful. No diagnosis can destroy your devotion towards each other. With God’s help, love really can endure in sickness and in health, I’m a witness.
