Viewing Marriage Realistically God's purposes for marriage extend far beyond personal happiness. We have to stop asking of marriage, what God never designed marriage to give — perfect happiness, conflict-free living, and idolatrous obsession. What God designed marriage to provide are : partnership, intimacy and the ability to pursue God — together. Looking to another human to complete us perfectly is idolatry. We are to find our fulfillment and purposes in God . . . and if we expect our spouse to be 'God' to us, he or she will fail every day. No person can live up to such expectations. Everyone has faults, each person's warts differ from the other person's spots and boils. Deep inside, each one of us has the inclination to be downright selfish. Despite these imperfections, God created the husband and wife to steer each other in His direction. In marriage, God designed a YOU-centered relationship for a ME-centered world God isn't against hap...