All Knotted Up

Marriage is a beautiful and fulfilling relationship that requires commitment, love, and sacrifice. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building a strong marriage, incorporating specific principles and practices can help you create a lasting and healthy relationship. If you are looking to build upon the foundation of your marriage, consider these seven key ways to building a strong and fulfilling relationship:

1. Put God first. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Prioritizing God in your marriage means seeking his wisdom and will in all things. When you take the time to pray together, study the Bible together, and be a part of a church community together, you will grow your partnership with God, with others, and with one another.
   
   
2. Love one another sacrificially. Loving your spouse sacrificially involves putting your partner's needs above your own. As the apostle Paul reminds in 1 Corinthians 16:14, “And do everything with love.” This means being there for your spouse through all of life’s ups and downs, supporting them in every way possible, and showing them that they are loved and valued. By prioritizing their needs and making them feel cherished, you can build a deep, lasting connection that will stand the test of time.
   
   
3. Practice forgiveness. In Colossians 3:13, Paul says, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Forgiveness is essential in any marriage - it means that along the life-long journey, either one will need to forgive and will need to be forgiven. Having a practice of forgiveness will help you release anger, resentment, and bitterness that lingers between you and promote healing, thriving, and remembering what it means to be forgiven by Jesus.
   
   
4. Communicate openly and honestly. Communication is key - no really, it is! As it is written in Ephesians 4:29, "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." It’ll maybe be the most important, daily lesson you and your spouse learn and work on - how to communicate with one another, what wise and loving speech is, how to foster honesty and vulnerability in a safe space.
   
   
5. Serve one another. In Galatians 5:13, Paul says, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Serving one another is kind intention and intentional thought turned into loving action towards, for, and with one another. What does this look like? Come up with ideas not of “how can my spouse serve me” but “how can I serve my spouse?”
   
   
6. Keep the love alive. In the Song of Solomon, we see the beauty and passion of a loving relationship between a man and a woman. Cultivating love in your marriage reminds you and your spouse of the affection you share. Small gestures like surprise date nights or leaving sweet notes around the house can help keep the spark alive. Be creative, be curious, and find ways to foster enjoyment of one another’s company.
   
   
7. Seek wise counsel. In Proverbs 15:22, Solomon writes, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Marriage in isolation is only so strong. God is always inviting you to find the support that comes with seeking wisdom from him and support from his people. Whether it’s a healthy community group, a marriage mentor, or a trusted Christian counselor, there are so many ways to walk in a wise community not only during challenging times, but in every season.
   
   

Building a strong marriage requires commitment, endures challenge, and experiences joy. While these seven key ways to building a strong marriage are the building blocks to help you stand the test of time, it’s uncovering the uniqueness of your marriage that will help you and your spouse discover what works for you.