Unbreakable Faith, Unbreakable Love — A Husband’s Testimony After 19 Years of Marriage

Marriage is one of the greatest reflections of God’s covenant with humanity. It is not simply a union between two people—it is a living testimony of grace, patience, forgiveness, and faith.

After nineteen years with my wife, Kristen, I can say with absolute certainty that our marriage has survived, strengthened, and flourished not because we were perfect—but because God was faithful.

In this post, I want to share the raw truth about what keeps love alive, how faith sustains what feelings cannot, and why God’s design for marriage remains the most powerful foundation any couple can stand upon.

This is not just our love story. It’s a declaration of what happens when two people build their lives upon unbreakable faith and refuse to let go of each other, even when the world tells them to walk away.

When Love Begins in Prayer

Most people begin their love stories with attraction, chemistry, or shared dreams. But ours began with something deeper: purpose.

When I met Kristen, I didn’t just meet a partner—I met the person God had chosen to be my anchor, my encourager, my mirror, and my reminder of His love. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She prayed for me when I couldn’t pray for myself. She carried our faith in the moments when I was weary.

We learned early that marriage is not about perfection—it’s about perseverance.
It’s not about always feeling in love—it’s about choosing love when feelings fade.

From the beginning, we made a promise not just to each other, but to God: to walk through life together, hand in hand, no matter what storms came.

That promise became our anchor.

Faith: The Foundation That Never Cracks

Faith is not something you reach for after everything falls apart—it’s something you build with before it does.

There were seasons when bills piled up, dreams fell apart, and life didn’t look like the picture we’d painted on our wedding day. But faith taught us that God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels delayed.

We’ve cried in prayer. We’ve laughed through exhaustion. We’ve whispered “thank You, Lord” in the middle of chaos.

That’s what marriage rooted in Christ looks like—it’s messy and miraculous at the same time.

Faith reminded us that even when we didn’t understand each other, we could still understand God’s purpose.
When we were hurt, faith whispered forgiveness.
When we were scared, faith reminded us that love casts out fear.

Without faith, marriage is fragile. With faith, it becomes unbreakable.

Grace: The Language of Lasting Love

You can’t have a lasting marriage without grace.

Grace is what fills the space between two imperfect hearts.
Grace is what lets you forgive the small things—and survive the big ones.
Grace doesn’t mean ignoring pain; it means responding to it with compassion.

There were times when I failed to live up to the man I wanted to be. Kristen’s grace didn’t just forgive me—it transformed me. Her patience reflected God’s mercy, and it made me want to become a better husband.

Grace is love in action. It’s the difference between giving up and growing up.

It’s what allows two people to stand in front of each other years later and say, “I still choose you.”

Marriage as a Reflection of God’s Covenant

God didn’t create marriage just to make people happy—He created it to make people holy.

The Bible says:

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” — Mark 10:9

Marriage is a covenant, not a contract. A contract can be broken when circumstances change. A covenant endures because it’s built on promise, not performance.

When a husband loves his wife the way Christ loves the Church—sacrificially, faithfully, and unconditionally—he mirrors heaven on earth.
When a wife supports her husband with faith, strength, and wisdom, she becomes the reflection of God’s grace in motion.

Kristen and I have seen firsthand that a marriage centered on Christ doesn’t just survive—it thrives. It grows stronger with each trial because it’s rooted in something eternal.

The Beauty of Struggle

Every love story has chapters of pain. But those chapters are not meant to break us—they’re meant to build us.

There were years that tested our patience, months that tested our finances, and moments that tested our faith. But every trial was a teacher.

Through hardship, we learned the value of empathy.
Through loss, we learned the strength of unity.
Through waiting, we learned to trust God’s timing.

Faith doesn’t prevent the storm—it gives you peace within it.

Marriage isn’t a constant honeymoon. It’s a lifelong workshop of learning, surrendering, and growing.

The world might say that love fades with time. But faith says love deepens with time.

Choosing Love Every Day

One of the greatest lessons marriage has taught me is that love is not a feeling—it’s a decision.

Every morning, you wake up and choose to love your spouse again. You choose to listen when it would be easier to argue. You choose to forgive when pride tempts you to stay silent. You choose to believe the best when life feels uncertain.

Love isn’t just spoken—it’s shown.

It’s shown in the way you comfort your spouse when they’re anxious.
It’s shown when you stay up late to pray together.
It’s shown in the quiet sacrifices no one else sees.

In a world that celebrates convenience, choosing commitment is radical. But it’s also sacred.

That’s the difference between worldly love and godly love. One is conditional. The other is eternal.

Faith Over Feelings

There will be days when love feels easy—and days when it feels impossible. That’s why faith matters.

Feelings fluctuate, but faith stands firm.
When emotions fade, faith keeps the fire burning.
When confusion comes, faith whispers, “God’s got this.”

Faith is the secret ingredient that transforms survival into joy.

When Kristen and I pray together, it’s not just a ritual—it’s a renewal. It’s a moment when heaven touches earth in our living room. It’s where peace returns and perspective is restored.

That’s what keeps a marriage strong—not constant perfection, but constant connection with God.

Marriage in a Modern World

Today’s culture promotes temporary affection over timeless devotion. But love rooted in Christ never goes out of style.

The world says: “Follow your feelings.”
God says: “Follow your faith.”

The world says: “If it’s hard, it’s not meant to be.”
God says: “If it’s hard, I’m using it to strengthen you.”

The world says: “You deserve better.”
God says: “You’re becoming better.”

Every faithful marriage is a quiet revolution against a culture that has forgotten what commitment means.
Every time a husband and wife choose prayer over pride, they’re preaching a sermon without words.

Your marriage is your ministry. The way you love your spouse is the loudest gospel you’ll ever share.

What 19 Years Have Taught Me

Looking back, these nineteen years have been a masterclass in faith, patience, and partnership.

I’ve learned that:

• The strongest marriages are not those without conflict, but those that resolve it with prayer.
• The happiest couples aren’t the ones who avoid pain, but the ones who grow through it together.
• The truest love is not about who changes less—it’s about who forgives more.

Every wrinkle, every gray hair, every memory shared—it’s all a reflection of grace.

Marriage is not about perfection. It’s about persistence.
And if you keep walking together with Christ as your compass, no distance can divide you.

A Love Letter to My Wife

Kristen, if these words ever find you again years from now, I want you to know this: you have been the greatest earthly blessing of my life.

Through your love, I’ve seen the reflection of God’s mercy. Through your laughter, I’ve felt the joy of heaven. Through your strength, I’ve learned humility.

You’ve stood beside me when life made no sense, prayed for me when I couldn’t pray for myself, and reminded me that God’s promises never fail.

Nineteen years later, I love you even more—not because of what we’ve been through, but because of how God has carried us through it.

If I could start all over again, I would still choose you—every single time.

💫 Experience the full message of faith, love, and gratitude in this powerful Christian marriage video. It’s a heartfelt reminder that when God writes your love story, it will always be stronger than the storms you face.

Watch Douglas Vandergraph’s inspiring faith-based videos on YouTube.

Support the ministry: Buy Douglas a coffee to help spread faith and hope.

#FaithBasedMarriage #ChristianMarriage #LoveNeverFails #FaithOverFear #ChristCenteredMarriage #MarriageTestimony #ChristianFaith #MarriageGoals #FaithJourney #GodsGrace #RelationshipGoals #ChristianCouple #FaithAndLove #MarriageEncouragement #MarriageStory #ChristianMotivation #MarriageRestoration #MarriageAdvice #FaithDrivenLove #ChristianLife

Your friend in Christ,
Douglas Vandergraph ✝️