Marriage Insight: Favorite Marriage Advice

Marriage Insight: Favorite Marriage Advice

In this Insight, we're giving some of our favorite marriage advice (with more posted on our web site at: https://marriagemissions.com/favorite-marriage-advice/ . This week I will give my favorites; next week Steve will give his. We’d LOVE IT if you would post some of your favorites on the web site to help others. With that said, please prayerfully consider the following advice:

-- Before you marry: "Love convinces a couple that they are the greatest romance that has ever been, that no two people have ever loved as they do, and that they will sacrifice absolutely anything in order to be together. And then marriage asks them to prove it." (Mike Mason)

-- "Marriage is more than sharing a life together; it’s building a life together. What you do now is for both, & what is said now is for both. Your purpose is now is for the kingdom & giving glory to the image of God." (Norm Wright) "Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us & gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1)

-- Take care of your marriage relationship & it will take care of you: "It's a sad state of affairs when we take better care of our cars & houses than we do our marriages. We change the oil, fill the tank & periodically tune up our cars. We change light bulbs, wash windows, paint walls, unplug toilets, and re-roof our houses, but what do we do to maintain our marriage? The truth is: more damage is done than repairs are made. How important is your marriage? Is it more important to you than your car or your home? Are you willing to put in the time and energy it takes to prove to your partner how valuable the relationship truly is to you?" (Dr Steve Stephens)

-- Keep in mind: "Marriage can be wonderful. It can be deeply satisfying & mutually fulfilling. But if it becomes that, it is because both partners have paid a very high price over many years to make it that way. They will have died to selfishness a thousand times. They will have had countless difficult conversations. They will have endured sleepless nights and strained days. They will have prayed hundreds of prayers for wisdom and patience and courage and understanding. They will have said, 'I’m sorry' too many times to remember. They will have been stretched to the breaking point often enough to have learned that, unless Christ is at the center of both their lives, the odds for achieving marital satisfaction are very, very low." (Bill and Lynne Hybels)

-- As far as resolving marital conflict, note: “If we strive to seek the Light, rather than trying to be right, a lot of our marital problems will resolve themselves.” (Unknown) The “Light” referred to is Jesus. We are to put our energy into seeking Jesus & HIS ways—not in getting our own way.

-- "Marriage is for grown-ups. It is not for those that want to 'play' marriage." A great guideline is in the scripture in 1 Corinthians 13:11 where says, "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I reasoned like a child, I thought like a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." When you say, "I do" you are to say goodbye to acting in immature ways. Marriage is for GROWN-UPS.

-- When things go in an unhealthy direction in your marriage, remember: "You are not responsible for fixing your marriage. But you are responsible for doing what you can to make it better." (Sheila Wray Gregoire) "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18) Keep in mind: "The issue isn’t whether you fight…it's how you fight & how rich your stockpile of good feelings is about each other to weather difficulties and keep your attitude toward your partner positive." (Dr John Gottman)

I'm ending with some of the best advice ever given for we interact as husband and wife: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:29-32)

May God help us all to grow our marriages to reveal & reflect Christ ~ Cindy & Steve Wright