If you’re married, you and your spouse probably recited vows to each other at your wedding. You probably also discovered that once you stepped down from the altar, words weren’t enough. You had to live it out.
Marriage can be a struggle. You’re not living a fairytale where everything is “happily ever after.” Conflict happens. You’ll face unmet expectations, differing viewpoints, and unexpected storms – like a job loss, trouble with your kids, or heart-breaking news that threatens to pull your marriage apart. That’s when you’ll be forced to ask yourself: “Did I really mean it when I promised ‘for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health’ for the rest of our lives?”
When storms come, there are two possible outcomes:
1. The weaknesses in your marriage will exacerbate your problems.
2. The strengths in your marriage will become a refuge.
For a marriage that stands the test of time, learn how to sacrifice for your spouse every day. Also, focus on preparation and prevention, meaning build up your relationship with God and with your spouse, so your marriage can not only withstand the storms but become stronger through them.
Popular guest Gary Thomas is joining me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly to help Christian couples weather the inevitable “storms” of life, grow closer to each other and God, and to come out the other side with a marriage that thrives.
Gary discusses:
• Why and how to strengthen your marriage before a storm hits. Waiting until after acrisis occurs to focus on your communication, connection, and commitment, may be too late.
• Fear vs Faith. When couples fail to deal with their fears, conflict can erupt in the form of anger, defensiveness, resentment, and shame.
• Long-distance marriage. Couples who are separated for extended lengths of time often drift and suffer misunderstanding. One spouse feels guilty for being away; the other feels taken advantage of.
• Overcoming past hurts. To strengthen your marriage, understand how your past is affecting you. Unresolved issues erode marriages.
• Staying connected. Drift is the natural trajectory of marriage. Intentional couples sacrifice their time, energy, and interests for the sake of their marriage.
• Money and marriage. Finances impact a marriage, but they don’t need to define it. Money – or the lack of it – will either curse your relationship or bless it.
• Busyness and marriage. Most couples don’t realize they’ve become too busy until they stop appreciating each other, grow irritated and isolated, and get angry with each other.
• Catastrophic loss. Couples can weather catastrophic trouble only if they’re committed to each other through prayer, vulnerability, emotional connection, and friendship.
Hear my full conversation with Gary Thomas on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.
While you’re online, why not take a few moments to try our free Marriage Assessment online tool? It will help you quickly determine what’s working well in your relationship and identify areas where you may need some improvement.
If your marriage is struggling, give us a call. We have marriage specialists who will call you back free of charge, spend some time with you on the phone, and then refer you to a like-minded counselor in your area, if needed. The number during business hours is 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
And if your marriage is in serious trouble, I want to remind you about Hope Restored. If you’re on the brink of divorce, these marriage intensives can go a long way toward facilitating healing between you and your spouse and bringing restoration to your relationship. The intensives take place in four locations:
• Branson, MO
• Greenville, MI
• Cave Creek, AZ
• Wimberley, TX
The number for Hope Restored is 1-866-875-2915, or visit online.
Gary Thomas’ book Making Your Marriage a Fortress: Strengthening Your Marriage to Withstand Life’s Storms is available for a gift of any amount. For more information, click here or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
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