There are several themes that arise when marital harmony is discussed. We can consider them as the most important aspects of any relationship. Foremost is the thought that a marriage should be immersed in a mutual relationship with Jesus Christ, His Spirit, His will, and His principles for success.
Communication is another one of the vital features. If couples do not honestly communicate their negative feelings, joys, unhappiness, needs, and dreams of a happy marriage with one another, then there is a disconnect from the very beginning of the relationship.
Marriage based solely on physical attraction is on rocky terrain from the start. Understanding one another, appreciating each other’s strengths, and accepting the other’s weaknesses will prevent inharmonious expectations in a marriage.
Living up to our marriage vows is another vital characteristic of a good marriage. We promised to love each other through positive and negative times until death parts us. Anything short of this commitment will ultimately lead to a dissolution of the relationship.
Spending quality times in building a lasting friendship and having fun together will sustain us through the differences we experience in a marriage, otherwise we drift apart. Putting work responsibilities, children, parents, siblings, friends, hobbies, and personal interests ahead of our commitment to each other will drain away the joy we find in our marriage.
Intimacy – emotionally, physically, mentally, and personally - will go a long way in improving our union and guaranteeing an alliance that lasts the challenges of marriage. If we genuinely trust and care about one another, we find and give more support to our mate.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for bringing into my life this person that sometimes steps on my last nerve, or who occasionally drives me crazy. Teach me to appreciate the positive aspects that he/she brings to our marriage, and how to change my focus on his/her personality quirks, and choices I do not particularly care for, and the times that he/she is too busy in his/her own pursuits and does not put time into loving me in my “love language.”
Help us to be more aware of what is going on in our individual life and to anticipate our mate’s needs in order to ask if we can be of any service to him/her. We need to actively listen more, talk less, and be present in the moment to hear Your directions for our time, talents, and skills. We want to validate one another and to understand each other’s perspective, as well as what they suffered in life before or since our marriage.
Thoughts for the Day:
Keys to a Successful Marriage:
1. Kindly communicate thoughts, feelings, needs, and irritations plainly and regularly.
2. Encourage and thank one another regularly and show appreciation for having our spouse in our life.
3. Make couple time a priority through all the phases of marriage.
4. Encourage one another to have personal alone time to unwind from the drain of the day, to rejuvenate our soul, and to care for many needs we have that we would otherwise go without them being met.
5. Agreeing to disagree is one way to resolve inflammable issues that arise between us. We do not always need to be on the same page about everything. It is okay to feel differently about common issues.
6. Make trust a priority in marriage, or the lack of it will erode feelings of security or assurance that is needed for trust to survive. Feeling safe is vitally important in any relationship.
7. Forgive slights, broken promises, hurt feelings, times of neglect, and unmet needs that occur from time to time.
8. Make sure that we provide each other with the assurance of faithfulness, well-being, and reliability.
9. Never take each other for granted. Cherish our mate’s presence in our life.
10. Do random acts of kindness for one another and look lovingly into each other’s eyes when we communicate.
11. Try new hobbies together, share new experiences, see new places on vacations, be creative in finding fresh and different experiences together several times a year.
