Marriage Advice, Part 1

Over the last few years I have had many opportunities to observe and counsel couples. Lately I have had the opportunity to do premarital counseling and officiate weddings for several couples- and it seems like this premarital counseling and wedding officiating will continue for the next several decades. Over the next few days I want to share some basic ideas for better marriages and relationships. The first idea is:

This won’t work without Jesus

Anytime two sinners join together in a relationship meant to last a lifetime, things are bound to go wrong. Two wrongs certainly don’t make a right when it comes to relationships!

The first couple on earth had God in the center of their relationship when everything was going well.

We too, thanks to the equal access we have to God through salvation in Jesus Christ, can keep God as the center of our marriages. This means putting God first in every decision and seeking Him in all you do as a couple:

Pray together; study the Word together; discuss the joys and mysteries of God and life together; get involved in a local church together; give of your time, talent, and money together; connect with other Christian couples together; etc…

Doing these things will bring you peace, satisfaction, and lots of perspective in your marriage. And as you put God first, your commitment level to each other will increase. Little arguments will seem…well…littler. Life’s problems will be put into the perspective of God’s time. And God will bless you and your marriage by putting Him first.

To stay in love; love better; and be an example of love to others; stick with the God who is love because this won’t work without Jesus!