By: Jenifer Metzger
This summer my grandparents will celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary, my parents will celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary and my husband and I will celebrate our 18th. So I have been thinking a lot about what makes a lasting marriage. This day in age marriage is throw away. Get marriage today and divorce tomorrow, no big deal.
A few years ago I asked on my Facebook page what people thought made a lasting marriage. Some of the answers I got were: forgiveness, determination to stick it out, and a Christ center marriage. I couldn't agree more with these answers!
My husband and I have had our fair share, and maybe more than our fair share, of disagreements. We come from completely different backgrounds and we married very young. We have had financial problems, trust problems and health issues with a child. All of these can break a marriage, if those three things listed above are not present.
We have to be forgiving. We take our loved ones, our spouses in particular, and expect perfection from them. Then when they let us down, we are so slow to forgive. My friend said we need forgiveness and a terrible memory. When your husband lets you down, and believe me he will, forgive. God forgives us so we are to forgive our husband.
We need to have a Christ centered marriage. Pray daily for your spouse but also pray that God will help you to be the wife He called you to be. Pray with your spouse, read the Word together, and attend church together. Always talk to God about your marriage and about what He wants you to do. Remain Heaven minded, even in your marriage.
I want, unless He returns, to celebrate a 39th anniversary and a 58th anniversary. But to do that, I must remember these three ingredients for a lasting marriage. The next time you pray, pray for these three things in your marriage. The next time you and your husband have a disagreement, remember these three things. Let's have marriages that honor God.
What other tips do you have for a lasting marriage?
*Updated repost from 2001.
This summer my grandparents will celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary, my parents will celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary and my husband and I will celebrate our 18th. So I have been thinking a lot about what makes a lasting marriage. This day in age marriage is throw away. Get marriage today and divorce tomorrow, no big deal.
A few years ago I asked on my Facebook page what people thought made a lasting marriage. Some of the answers I got were: forgiveness, determination to stick it out, and a Christ center marriage. I couldn't agree more with these answers!
My husband and I have had our fair share, and maybe more than our fair share, of disagreements. We come from completely different backgrounds and we married very young. We have had financial problems, trust problems and health issues with a child. All of these can break a marriage, if those three things listed above are not present.
We have to be forgiving. We take our loved ones, our spouses in particular, and expect perfection from them. Then when they let us down, we are so slow to forgive. My friend said we need forgiveness and a terrible memory. When your husband lets you down, and believe me he will, forgive. God forgives us so we are to forgive our husband.
We need to be determined to stick it out. Unless you are in an abusive relationship (in that case, seek help, if need be email me and I will help you find help) you need to keep a mindset of never giving up. Divorce should never, ever come out of your mouth.
We need to have a Christ centered marriage. Pray daily for your spouse but also pray that God will help you to be the wife He called you to be. Pray with your spouse, read the Word together, and attend church together. Always talk to God about your marriage and about what He wants you to do. Remain Heaven minded, even in your marriage.
I want, unless He returns, to celebrate a 39th anniversary and a 58th anniversary. But to do that, I must remember these three ingredients for a lasting marriage. The next time you pray, pray for these three things in your marriage. The next time you and your husband have a disagreement, remember these three things. Let's have marriages that honor God.
What other tips do you have for a lasting marriage?
*Updated repost from 2001.
I love this, A BIG congrats to all 3 generations. I am very glad to read this post.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the suggestions you offered.
God Bless.
Forgiveness is very important, as in not letting the sun go down on your wrath. I try to always seek peace, along with keeping in mind that my marriage covenant is between me and God, so is not dependent on what my husband does or does not do, I am responsible to God for the things I do and obeying His words. I have been married for 47 years.
ReplyDelete