How to Have a Happy Marriage
Many of our favorite stories finish with “and they lived happily ever after.” Unfortunately, you don’t find it to be reality that often. A happy marriage doesn’t just happen; it takes lots of work—but it’s totally worth it.
There’s plenty of good advice on how to make a marriage successful, but here are four short tips that may be easier to remember.
- Cherish. Your spouse is a gift from God. Make sure you express your love with small acts of thoughtfulness. This could be some time away together, a surprise gift, or dinner at their favorite restaurant. Cherish your spouse and be certain he or she knows how much you love them.
- Communicate. Share your life with each other. Discuss the problems at work and what you’re dreaming about at home. Don’t pester or only share what you’re thinking when you are upset. The Bible says, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24).
- Compromise. The biggest hurdle of love is selfishness. Marriage is the union of two people so you can’t always get what you want. You have to compromise and do so with grace. The Bible says, “Love does not demand its own way” (1 Corinthians 13:5).
- Christ. Lastly and most importantly, place Jesus Christ in the center of your marriage. Accept Jesus and seek His will daily. Jesus is the strong foundation you need in your life and marriage.
The perfect marriage is a joining of three persons—a man, a woman and God. That is what makes marriage holy. And a holy marriage can be a happy marriage. Faith in Christ is the most important of all principles in the building of a happy marriage and a happy home.
Open your heart to Jesus Christ. Invite Him into your marriage and find peace.
Step 1 – God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
The Bible says:
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
"I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Our Separation from God
The Bible says:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Bridge: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
1 Peter 3:18
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9
Here is how you can accept Christ into your life:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner)
- Be willing to turn from your sins. (Repent)
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. (Be saved by faith)
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive him as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do Your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
Did you pray this prayer?
