Building a Godly Marriage: 5 Keys to Lasting Love
Are you looking to build a stronger, more fulfilling marriage? Do you want to center your relationship on faith and lasting love?
In their book The Love Dare, Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick offer principles for creating a godly marriage. They provide practical advice on how to cultivate unconditional love and overcome challenges in your relationship.
Keep reading to discover how you can apply these principles to build a God-centered marriage that stands the test of time.
Building a God-Centered Marriage
The Foundation of Godly Love
When it comes to building a godly marriage, it's essential to understand that love isn't just about feelings. True love, as described in the Bible, is a choice and a commitment. This kind of love, called agape, goes beyond the emotions you might feel in friendships or romantic relationships. It's the foundation of a lasting, God-centered union that exemplifies what a godly marriage should be.
Agape love is unconditional and puts the other person's needs before your own. It's not swayed by passing emotions or circumstances. Instead, it remains constant through sickness and health, wealth and poverty, joy and sorrow.
To build a godly marriage, you need to make a conscious decision to love your spouse, even when it's challenging. This means guiding your heart purposefully rather than letting it be controlled by fleeting emotions.
Practical Ways to Show Love
In a godly marriage, love is demonstrated through actions, not just words. Here are some practical ways you can show love to your spouse:
Pay Attention to Your Spouse's Needs
Being attentive involves listening carefully when your spouse speaks and picking up on their unspoken needs. It's about respecting their wishes and sometimes even choosing to yield in a disagreement as a gesture of goodwill.
Enrich Your Spouse's Life
Understanding how your spouse gives and receives love is crucial. This might involve simple acts like taking their parents out for a meal or sincerely asking, "How can I help you?" or "What can I pray for you about?" Remember, respecting your spouse's personal space while showing your appreciation for them is also a way of expressing love.
Practice Gratitude and Appreciation
Focusing on your spouse's positive qualities can significantly enhance your respect and strengthen your connection. Reflect on what attracted you to your partner initially and remember those first moments of connection. Always express appreciation for your spouse's contributions and acknowledge their positive influence in fostering gratitude.
Overcoming Challenges in Marriage
Every marriage faces challenges, but a godly marriage approaches these difficulties with patience, understanding, and a commitment to growth.
Dealing With Selfishness
Marriage often reveals our selfish tendencies. Recognizing your own limitations and showing humility can help repair damage in your relationship. Remember, true love sometimes requires changing your own emotions, which may need divine assistance.
Managing Expectations
It's important to recognize that sometimes our expectations may be unrealistic. Understand that your spouse is human and has imperfections. Reducing harmful effects of excessive expectations is essential for fostering a durable and enduring partnership.
Resolving Conflicts
In a godly marriage, conflicts are addressed with forgiveness and understanding. Establish shared boundaries that maintain respect during disputes. Listen attentively, refrain from hasty responses, and maintain composure to foster peaceful resolutions.
Emphasizing Unity
Regular dialogue and shared experiences cultivate a feeling of unity. Forgiveness is crucial as it frees you from emotional shackles. Strive to understand your spouse's viewpoint and commit to daily forgiveness. Acknowledging mistakes and offering sincere apologies are vital for restoring trust.
Putting God at the Center
A godly marriage recognizes the profound link between a strong marital relationship and religious convictions. Here's how you can put God at the center of your marriage:
Prioritize God's Pleasure
In a godly marriage, you prioritize what brings joy to God above personal satisfaction or even your spouse's happiness. This approach naturally strengthens the bond between spouses.
Rely on Spiritual Strength
To love unconditionally, you need to seek divine guidance. God instills in us a profound affection that enables us to set aside our own wishes and remain true to His purpose.
Maintain a Consistent Connection
Marriage is essentially a bond between two people and their sacred commitment to foster lifelong love, solemnly pledged in God's presence. This perspective means dedicating yourself to persistent and unwavering affection that can overcome any challenge.
Strengthen Your Commitment
Renewing your vows can be a significant gesture that underscores your dedication to your spouse and your faith. You might choose to display your vows prominently in your home or commemorate them with an official gathering. Demonstrating unwavering devotion and loyalty plays a pivotal role in honoring God and fortifying your marriage bond.
By following these principles, you can build a godly marriage that reflects the unbreakable and unending beauty of divine love. Remember, a godly marriage is not just about your relationship with your spouse, but also about your shared relationship with God.