Wow!  The newspapers and nightly news tell the story.  The enemy is coming after marriages, and unfortunately winning at an alarming rate, including those that are of the body of Christ.  What hope do we have in our marriage working when so many people are walking away from their marriages?  It’s really simple- relationship.  Our hope is in the Lord.  Romans 5:2-6 says that we can rejoice too when we run into problems and trials, for we know they are good for us — they help us learn to be patient.  And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it, until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.  Marriage is a constant, evolving process that requires work, time, and reliance on the Lord.  Here are 5 “P’s” to start the building process.

1.  Make Your Marriage a Priority.  Nothing grows without care!  Other than the Lord, nothing and no one is to be more important than your marriage; not your parents, your children, that job, not even your ministry. If you are too busy to spend time building your marriage then you are simply too busy, and God is not impressed with your busyness.

2.  Plan time alone with just you and your husband.  Just as we schedule things in our planners,  Palm Pilots or pda’s, we need to schedule time with our husband – alone. The time alone can be an evening out or in the bedroom with the door close.  The most important aspect is that the two of you are there.

3.  Pray with and for your husband.  Ecclesiastes speaks of a three strand cord not being easily broken.  The first strand is God and strands two and three belong to you and your husband. Being in relationship with the author and finisher of your faith gives you access to His love, strength, wisdom and guidance.  Let God speak to your heart regarding what things to bring to your husband’s attention and what things that God will handle on your behalf.

4.  Treat your husband as the Priest of the house.  Before we start grunting and getting our neck in motion, remember the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords asked, not commanded, through Paul for you to respect your husband.  Respect is so key with men.  Your husband may go through a day of disrespect in the workplace and in the community, but he needs the respect of the woman that he has chosen as his wife.

5.  Praise him openly.  Not that superficial stuff, but words of affirmation can go a long way to letting your husband know how much you value him and your marriage.

We can soar like eagles in our marriages when we depend on God for the strength to do it.

Posted under Marriage