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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] came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Sin Separates Us
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 free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Remedy: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God."
1 Peter 3:18
"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me."
Revelation 3:20
"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you confess with your mouth that 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 receive Christ:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God's forgiveness.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus' Name, amen."
Did you pray this prayer?