Two Keys to a Happy Marriage
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Two Keys to a Happy Marriage
Almost every marriage starts out as a huge celebration.
Together with their family and friends, each couple is full of hopes and dreams for their future life
together. But the road to a happy marriage is far from easy. And as today’s divorce statistics
demonstrate all too well, many couples opt not to complete the journey.
It would be easy to blame our high rate of marital failure on things like not spending enough quality
time together, allowing bitterness and resentment to build in our hearts and failing to keep
communication lines open. There’s no end to books, articles and seminars that tell you how to
improve these and many other aspects of your relationship. But while quality time, forgiveness and
communication are vitally important to creating a happy marriage, if such things aren’t happening,
it’s usually a sign of a much deeper problem. And until this problem is addressed, no amount of
external behavior modification will work.
To get a hint of what this deeper issue might be, let’s take a look at the following Scripture passage:
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him [Jesus] with this question: “Teacher, which is the
greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it:
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
(Matthew 22:35-40)
I believe that virtually every marital problem can be traced back to one or both partners failing to
abide by these two laws. The same is true of any relationship. The minute we begin to focus on our
own wants and needs over those of God or our partner; we’re destined for trouble.
Experiencing communication problems in your marriage? How often do you really focus on listening
to what your partner (or God) has to say instead of insisting on more airtime? Feeling bitterness and
resentment growing toward your partner? When was the last time you brought him or her before
the Lord in prayer and truly thanked God for your relationship? Struggling to find quality time
together? How about praying with your partner and asking God how he would like you to use your
time?
As you begin to do these things, you’ll notice that your focus automatically starts to shift away from
you and your desires and over to God and your partner. As a result, communication problems begin
to improve, anger and resentment fade away and you naturally want to spend more time together.
Of course, you can’t expect such changes to happen overnight. Your relationship is also bound to
face financial pressures, child-rearing issues and other problems that are beyond your control. But if
you commit your relationship to God and make a conscious decision each day to put God and your
partner first, your marriage will be able to weather any storm. Not only that; you’ll also have plenty
of fun together along the way!
by Kevin Miller
Have you struggled to find happiness in your marriage? Perhaps it’s time you and your spouse
invited God to direct your relationship. If you would like to do so, we encourage you to pray the
following:
“Dear God, thank you so much for bringing us together as a couple. We know that you have a plan
and a purpose for our marriage, and we invite you, Lord Jesus, to forgive the past self-centeredness,
and come into our lives and relationship. Direct our steps from now on. Please give us the grace to
put You and each other first every day. Make our relationship a blessing to others. But most of all;
make it a blessing to You. Amen.”
Whether you prayed this prayer or not we would love to send you some great links to help build
your marriage.
If you prayed this prayer we would love to hear from you . If you would like to know God deeper we
can connect you with an email mentor and/or send you some great links.
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