Often we think of marriage as a romantic fantasy where we will live happily ever after and life will be easy all because we are in loooovvvveee.....*smiling and batting eyes* :-) Well if your bubble hasn't burst yet- let me be the one to burst it for you! lol
Vince and I are coming up to our 11th year of marriage this November, so we aren't newly weds but we aren't veterans either in this adventure called marriage, we know that we haven't arrived :-) Having said this, I do believe this is an area where we are ahead of our time- I'm not saying everything is perfect but that we understand the marriage covenant and we understood early on that love isn't based on feelings but it is a choice. We married very young- we were both 21 but we knew we were best friends no matter what. We became best friends BEFORE we started dating and I believe that was vital to the strength of our relationship. I'll share a few other reasons why I believe our marriage is still going strong.
1) God is the head of our marriage- "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." (Proverbs 24:3-4)
2) We never go to bed angry- we work through our problems with intentionality and determination and perseverance- confront them head on! Divorce is not an option!
3) We forgive each other- it is human nature to make mistakes and there will be many times when we need to forgive- forgiveness is ACTIVE! it will leave you with peace and joy in your marriage life
4) Communicate!! we talk clearly and listen well, it results in knowing and being known
Ephesians 4:29 “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.”
5) LOVE!! -in our society love is so fleeting, the word has been warped and greatly misused over time- but the true meaning of love encompasses so many things!
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love Never Fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
6) sexual intimacy- let me just say we are healthy in this area :-) but let me say this;
Pornography- the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy your marriage in the form of seduction. This is one of the most insidious attacks upon the sanctity of marriage. I don't believe it strengthens marriages but destroys it through perversion- your spouse then becomes not good enough. That isn't love. (I have tons more to say on this subject but I'll digress....)
7)FUN! Without it comes boredom- make it happen! I love spending time with Vince :-)
I have lots more to share but I'll leave it here for today :-)
What is the strongest area of your marriage??
