Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

¹When Jesus had completed these teachings, he left Galilee and crossed the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan. ²Great crowds followed him there, and he healed them. ³One day the Pharisees were badgering him: “Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” ⁴He answered, “Haven’t you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female?

In verse number 4 we have Jesus giving a response to the question the Pharisees asked him about divorce. As we think about marriages and relationships we see that God created man for a woman. One of the takeaways from this verse in my mind is we can see God creating and keeping balance. In our marriages, relationships, and friendships it is important and critical for us to have and maintain to the best of our ability balance. The reason for this is because God is a God of balance. God sent His son Jesus here but he maintained balance by staying home in heaven. When it comes to marriage God had a husband and wife to maintain balance. Even if you are do not understand scripture you can understand in our world and our every day lives a lot of things is about having balance. Your vehicles have to have balance, your chairs have to have balance, your body has balance (2 feet, ear, hands etc).

A healthy marriage or relationship is one that has balance. Back in the day the husband would work while the wives stayed at home to maintain balance. When my parents had five children what they decided to do was one worked for the most part at night and the other one during days so that someone would be home with the children (balance).

Now in this day and age we are trying to find that balance between (I’m Every Woman it’s all in me & What a man what a man what a mighty good man).

In this day and age we are trying to balance the woman making more income but still allowing the man to be the head of the household because of balance.

I told a friend of mines that one of the main responsibilities of the husband is to ensure the woman doesn’t take on too much responsibility or things will get off balance.

A Perfect example of a man of God who didn’t practice balance like he should have is David. David was a man after God’s heart, he killed Goliath, he slew his 10,000 but David wasn’t the best parent.

Here is a snapshot of David’s kids.

Amnon, David's firstborn raped Tamar; the full sister of Absalom and therefore Absalom killed him because David never confronted Amnon about his behavior.

• Absalom, He was killed by Joab (1 Chronicles 3:1-2) after he mounted a rebellion against his aging father David.
• Adonijah, He made a play for his father’s throne during the life of David (1 Kings 1:11ff). His brother Solomon had him executed.

Solomon, is the son we talk about the most because we fill like David finally learned from the error of his ways. And raised this son right.

What I believe led to some of the problems in the life of David and his family is David didn’t practice balance. He was successful away from home but (outside looking in) he wasn’t the success he could have been.

What you will see in the life of this family and truth be told other families across the world is their lives are a mess. When a person’s life is a MESS it means there is unbalance. When you are unbalance you can have one of the following happen to you.

Mentally unbalanced – problems thinking, withdrawal, increased sensitivity

But we overcome it with the words found in Philippians 4:8-9 “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. ⁹Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

But also finding ways to improve your mental stability by reading books

Emotionally unbalanced – sometimes stems from an inability to deal with grief, loss, abuse, abandonment, and detachment.

But we overcome it with the words found in Psalm 34:17-18 “¹⁷Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. ¹⁸If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

But also finding individuals to talk to about our feelings and help us deal with your past/present without being judgemental.

Socially unbalanced - children and adolescents who express, through their bodies and lives, misery and social abandonment. Meaning they feel like they can’t trust anybody especially not the government/systems.

But we overcome it with the words found in Psalm 18:1 “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.”

But also finding individuals who think like you without making you compromise your faith.

Spiritually unbalanced - It means that you live for (and enjoy) spiritual experiences more than you enjoy human experiences

But we overcome it with the words found in John 17:¹⁴I gave them your word;

The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn’t join the world’s ways, ¹⁵Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways. I’m not asking that you take them out of the world But that you guard them from the Evil One.

But also learning to get in the everyday market places and be approachable and relevant.

Even though a mess is created we can depend on God to be right there to help us clean up our mess.

1 Corinthians 1:7-9

⁷Just think—you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. ⁸And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. ⁹God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that.

When we get unbalance we need to turn to God our creator to help us get back in balance. If you want a stronger relationship/marriage keep balance and some of your problems will be eliminated.