Five Tips for a Happy Christian Marriage

Church leaders and family members are reliablea conscientious effort to love your partner as he or
sources of Christian marriage advice. Sometimes,she deserves.
however, we want to be anonymous. We may notChristian marriage advice is rooted in a belief in the
feel comfortable speaking to our pastor about intimatesanctity of marriage. By caring for our partner and
issues. Or, we may not wish to worry our families withmeeting his or her needs, we surrender to them. We
our marital troubles.show them our love and reaffirm how important they
Whether you have been married for 30 years or 30are to use.
days, these five tips will inspire you to reflect on your4. Seek forgiveness: you cannot control what your
marriage. Based on your responses, you may decidepartner does; you can only focus on your thoughts and
to seek professional Christian marriage advice as aactions. Model the behavior that you admire and wish
couple or individually.to see more of in your marriage. If you’ve
1. Share your vision and your mission: you and yourmade a mistake—and who
partner should have a shared vision. If you understandhasn’t—come clean. Be honest with
each other’s goals and support each other inyourself, with God and with your partner. Without
pursuit of your dreams, you are more likely to maintainmaking excuses, seek forgiveness. Admitting to failure
a passionate partnership marked by enthusiasm fortakes courage and it is often the first step towards
life. You will not see your partner as an obstacle to bethawing cold hearts and warming up a marriage
moved out of your way. Rather, he or she will be seenthat’s frozen over.
as your closest ally as you move steadily towards the5. Make the most of your differences: the world is a
future.rich, complex place in part because it is filled with
Think about working together to develop a missiondiversity. Likewise, your marriage is enriched and
statement that expresses your family’s valuescomplicated by the differences between you and your
and your vision of success. If you are stuck, there arepartner. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing,
several books and online resources to guide youthough. Learn how your differences complement each
through this process. You may also wish to seek theother. What can you achieve together than would not
services of a church leader for Christian marriagebe possible on your own. Instead of letting your
advice that will help you identify your vision.dissimilarities worry you, develop a sense of
2. Express gratitude: take time individually and as aappreciation and gratitude for how your personalities
couple to express gratitude for the life you share withand abilities complete each other.
each other. Throughout the day, acknowledge small,Integrate this Christian marriage advice and you should
loving gestures. Let your partner know how much youbegin to enjoy a more loving and respectful
appreciate these kind acts. It is also a good idea topartnership. And, on those days when you cannot find
express thanks in a more formal manner. Manyanything nice to say, remember that your partner is a
couples choose to do this daily during dinner or beforechild of God. Act accordingly.
going to bed.I understand that all kinds of people experience
One helpful piece of Christian marriage advice is topersonal difficulties from time to time. Over the course
keep a gratitude journal so that you can relive thoseof a long life, I have found that once they are helped to
moments of appreciation at times when you areunderstand what's going on in their lives they become
finding it difficult to be thankful or cannot see theempowered to change them for the better. Please
blessings in your life.visit my website to browse the resources I have
3. Love each other: all too often we forget that love isgathered here for you and learn how they hold the
not a state of being, it is an act. Reflect on yoursecrets to turn your life around.If you're particularly
behavior, your attitude and the way you communicateinterested in marriage counseling, then please click here
with your partner. Are you loving him or her in theto read more about "Secrets of Successful
truest sense of the word? If not, make some changes.Marriage
Act out of love and gratitude. Listen and communicateI also recommend Save your Christian Marriage by
respectfully. Find out what would make your partnerRev. Lee H. Baucom, M.Div., Th.M., Ph.D for additional
feel more loved. Now, with the support of God, makehelp and guidance.