Read:
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4 (NIV).
Encouragement:
The thought of marriage conjures up vivid images from “The Princess Bride,” specifically the iconic wedding scene. The bishop, in a slurred voice, begins the ceremony. “Mawage. Mawage is what bwings us togethah today.” The memory brings a fresh wave of giggles; the sheer absurdity of it all still tickles me. Marriage is a profound commitment, requiring diligent work and unwavering dedication to build a lasting, faithful, and successful union.
Marriage
My husband and I celebrated four decades of marriage last year by reminiscing over old photos and laughing at our youthfulness. The forty years formed a tapestry of highs and lows, with our son’s death nearly tearing it apart. Our relationship thrived on the simple yet powerful act of never giving up on each other, a bond that weathered every storm. We made a sacred promise of eternal love, and through thick and thin, we fought tooth and nail to keep it.
Effective communication, marked by clear dialogue and active listening, is pivotal to our achievements. We even gave each other permission to say things like, “I love you always, but I don’t like you today,” during our sometimes-heated arguments, a strange comfort comes from the honesty. We say “I love you” many times each day, sometimes shouting it, sometimes murmuring it, but always with heartfelt meaning. Before bed, we attempt to talk things through, smoothing out any wrinkles in our relationship. We pray for each other, discussing our shared faith and praising God together. As the world views marriage as disposable, our faith calls us to honor the sacred union God established.
Make it a point to fight for your marriage, lifting it up in daily prayer, seeking God’s strength and guidance. Faith builds a strong marriage, portraying the union as a reflection of Christ’s love for the church. This requires consistent forgiveness, open and respectful communication, mutual service, collaborative conflict resolution, and seeking wisdom from scripture and spiritual leaders. The scent of prayer and devotion fills the home, strengthening the bond.
Prayer for Marriage:
Dear Lord, bless our marriage, may our love grow stronger with each passing day, like a sturdy oak. May we grant ourselves the patience, empathy, and resilience to stand by each other through all situations. May our relationship be a testament to Your unfailing love, always shining with Your grace and truth. Bind us together in faithfulness, a partnership that reflects your magnificence in all we do. Amen.
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Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Love the idea of connecting by talking things through before going to bed. We usually stumble sleepily to bed with a quick “Good night” and a kiss. But talking things out sounds beneficial. I’m going to explore implementing it.
Thanks Candyce. We base it on Ephesians 4:26.
Beautiful message, Yvonne–perfect for this season of love. Congratulations on your many years of marriage and wishing you many more.
Thanks Katherine. I pray you have many years in your marriage. Blessings
Yvonne, congratulations on 4 decades of marriage. We will celebrate 40 years in April this year. It really takes intentionality to fight for our marriage, be committed to good communication, and remember to love even when we don’t like. Enjoyed your insight here. God bless.
Congratulations to you too Karen. We must fight and love each other till the end. Thanks and God bless
Thanks for the beautiful marriage prayer. We celebrated 49 years in January. It does take work, but it is worth it to work things out and stay together.
Congratulations Barbara and it is so worth it. Thanks and God bless
Yvonne, I agree. Being able to be honest and share unconditional love at the same time removes barriers and knits us together.
Amen Debbie. Thanks and God bless you
Yvonne, what a beautiful message to encourage other married couples. Thank you for sharing with honesty. Your marriage is a blessing to your family and to all who see how you have remained true to your commitment even in deep valleys. I love your closing – make it a point to fight for your marriage. It’s worth it. God bless you and your husband!
Marriage is so worth fighting for in life. Thank you Melissa and God bless
Beautiful post, Yvonne. Happy Valentines’s Day, and thank you for the marriage prayer.
Happy Valentine Day Priscilla and God bless you
Excellent! The lessons we learn while navigating marriage teach us so much about our faith journey, as well as about God’s love for us. I know I have learned SO much!
And I’m still learning, a never ending cycle. Thanks Jessica and God bless
Indeed, our marriages are worth fighting for and we have to engage in the battle!
Very true Michele. Thanks and God bless.