Some couples love to spar with each other, attempt to prove one is right and one is wrong, that one knows more or is smarter than the other, take each other for granted, neglect their spouse for their work, would rather be busy than spend time together, refuse to compromise their position, etc. These habits cause trouble in the relationship.
There are many issues in life that attempt to pull a couple apart, so we must make it our priority to draw together when differences arise. Our spouse is not the enemy, our circumstances are the problem. Therefore, solving problems together increases our bond and intimacy.
Our wedding vows are not just words, but a commitment to walk through the trials of life together – supporting, loving, and striving to appreciate one another’s reasoning even if we disagree. When something bothers us, we can always ask for more information about the matter because we may make false assumptions. Clarity would quickly clear up a misunderstanding.
Building trust and having open communication about any issue also builds strong bonds between a couple. Satanic lies have less ability to tear us apart if we can talk about anything that makes us feel insecure or unloved. Rather than taking these questions or topics as accusations, we can view them as coming from insecurity in our spouse.
When we feel tired, irritable, or any negative emotion, it is wise for us to put our self in “time out,” until we feel more like having company and being civil and flexible. We all have hard times in life, and we can share in one another’s burdens and make our spouse’s life simpler and more bearable.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for giving us heavenly wisdom, ready forgiveness, and deep understanding with our spouse’s idiosyncrasies. Let love, nurture, compassion, and caring be our motivation behind our words and actions. Enable us to have the commitment and strength not to give up on one another, but to bear with and go the extra mile for each other (2 Corinthians 11:1; Matthew 5:41).
Teach us how to develop peace and joy in our own life, and to allow our spouse to be the beneficiary of the deep-seeded character traits of Your Spirit within us (Galatians 5:22-23). We want to find a place of contentment in life and in our marriage – not that we take each other for granted, but that we cherish each other regardless of our habits, hang-ups, and imperfections. Remind us to lay down our life for one another and to prefer each other over our self without neglecting our own needs (Matthew 22:36-40).
Thoughts for the Day:
Making an effort to show compassion, to feel love, to be patient and understanding and generous, and to support each other rather than living as combatants will all improve our relationship and be an example to our children and acquaintances of a good marriage. Assuming the best in each other, rather than the worst resolves many issues that should never be a problem in the first place.
