Gwen and Kyle looked lovingly into each other’s eyes as the priest read out their vows for them to repeat. “I Gwen take you Kyle to be my lawfully wedded husband … “ Gwen hesitated when the priest reached the part “ for better or for worse..” She and Kyle could not be termed as rich. They had squeezed themselves of every money they could gather to put together this wedding. With the help of family and friends, they had managed to pull a fairly impressive wedding. True, they had borrowed a bit and would still be owing some of the wedding service providers some unpaid fees by the end of this event. They were counting on the generosity of friends during the wedding to raise enough money to bridge the shortfall for them to enjoy their dream honeymoon. They were also hoping to complete furnishing their new home after the wedding.

In Gwen’s mind, the immediate future right after their wedding looked hard enough. Surely there was no room for things to get any worse, was there? She only realized that she had loudly voiced her thoughts when her words sparked some laughter in the congregation.. “For better or better…” she muttered, before coughing and quickly correcting herself… “for better or worse”. 

With grim statistics showing increase in unemployment rates across the world, as well as a drop in projected annual global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rates for many nations, this season of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about changing realities for many households. Just like Kyle and Gwen in the above illustration, the commitment of many couples to their marriage vows is being tested as world realities bring about the “worse” rather than the “better” of life situations.

As the challenges and the uncertainties of the pandemic continue to induce fear and anxiety, many are left wondering what tomorrow truly holds for them. Even if they survive the disease, will they survive the socio-economic realities that the pandemic is causing? Jesus must have anticipated such scenarios when he encouraged his disciples with these words in Matthew 6:25 “ Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” – NIV

One of the greatest attitudes that Christian couples can develop together is one of mutual faith, and the greatest habit is that of mutual prayer. This will compel them to stick together and remain thankful for the good times; and hopeful during the trying times. Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” – NLT