3 Tips for a Strong Marriage

By: Jenifer Metzger

You love your husband. You are thankful for your marriage. Yet, you know that marriage isn't always easy. In fact, sometimes it's down right hard.

The key to marriage is the choices we make. Every single day we wake up with choices and we continue to make choices all throughout our day. Some are easy enough, like choosing to eat. Some a little tougher, like what to eat. Some are hard choices we just don't want to make. Yet, they are all choices.

Here are three things you can choose in order to have a strong marriage.

Choose love.
Love isn't a feeling. It is a choice and it's an attitude, but it is not a feeling. We must choose each day to love our spouse. When your spouse is being, in your eyes, unlovable, that is when we go to God and ask God to help us see our spouse through His eyes and offer His love. Choose to love your spouse, through the good and the bad.

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:12

Choose kindness.
After a long, hard day, we can often get a bit snappy with our mate. Sometimes it is completely unintentional. Yet, we are moody and his is there so it is "natural" for him to get the brunt end of our moodiness. Choose kindness. Even when emotions are running high. Even when you don't feel he deserves kindness. Choose it. Be kind.

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved,

put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

Galatians 5:22-23

Choose prayer.
A wife's prayers for her husband are vital. You know him in ways no one else in this world does, not even his family. You may be the only person praying for him, especially if he doesn't come from a Christian family. Your prayers are important. Pray for him. But also, pray with him. Pray over meals, your day, details, plans, hard times, needs in your church or community, and give thanks in prayer. When we hold hands and pray together, it builds an intimacy with our spouse. Choose prayer.

 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about any

matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.

Matthew 18:19

The Lord is near all who call out to Him,
all who call out to Him with integrity.
Psalm 145:18

Choose love. Choose kindness. Choose prayer. When we intentionally choose these three things, we can watch our marriage strengthen.