9 Timeless Tips For a Strong Marriage

Marriage is a learning process. I’ve found that no matter how long you’ve been married or how great your marriage is, there’s always something new to learn. Some area to improve, or things to forgive. 

Hubby and I are celebrating 41 years today. And for us, it’s a celebration of God’s faithfulness. He has helped us stay together and grow in love. Through all these years of trials and blessings, He has taught a lot. And today, we would not be here together without those lessons!

9 tips for a building strong foundation:

1. Stay united

There are many forces at work that seek to destroy marriage and the unity of couples. Work to stand with and for your spouse. Don’t let other people, outside interests, or even work come between you and the most special person in your life. Nothing and no one should ever be more important than him or her, except God.

2. Kids are temporary guests

Children are much loved and welcome additions to the family, but really only temporary guests. It’s important to love our kids and cherish them. But they’ll move on. Our spouse is here to stay. And now that it’s just the two of us, I see even more how important it was to work on keeping communication strong and intimate. Unity is the key foundation.

3. Forgive every day

Every day there will be things to forgive, both big and small. If unity is the foundation, forgiveness is the cement that holds it in place. In our marriage we’ve seen that without forgiveness, the foundation begins to crumble little by little, and often over small things. A certain look, a word blurted out without thought.

Why ruin a lifetime of happiness together over small things? And the big things? With Christ’s help, we can forgive even those, just as we wish to be forgiven.

4. Don’t try to change your spouse

Stop trying to change your spouse, because that’s God’s job. Our job is to love them unconditionally, while also inspiring them to be better. Encouragement and prayer change hearts and minds, and are far more effective than all the nagging in the world!

And remember that you loved this person enough to get married. If you wanted someone who was different, you should have chosen someone else!

Marriage is for keeps. It’s worth keeping and worth the work it takes!

Signora Sheila

5. Spend time together

Happiness is being married to your best friend. That’s why it’s important to make time to talk and find common interests to share. Especially when we still have children at home and so many other responsibilities.

6. Read and pray together

Make time to pray and read the Bible together. As disciples of Christ, we have learned that these two things are essential in helping us to treat our spouse as Christ would. And to make us even more grateful for the gift we have received in our spouse.

7. Become a giver and not a taker

Instead of thinking about what we want from our spouse and marriage, we should try to become the kind of person who gives and keeps giving. It is important to care deeply about our partner’s happiness and do everything possible to support and encourage them.

8. Tend finances carefully

Financial difficulties can cause a lot of stress. That’s why we’ve made a commitment to stay out of debt. We try to spend little, be content with simple things, and never spend money we don’t have.

9. Show your appreciation

None of us is perfect, including our spouse. If you notice that your partner is making an effort to improve, show your appreciation! Be grateful for them and express your gratitude every day!

Above all, remember that marriage is forever. It’s worth the effort it takes!

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.

Mark 10:7-9

📷 Image credits: cake; ring; graphic.