Marriages can seem like a lot of work. A strong marriage calls for sacrifices to be made, mistakes to forgive and decisions to trust. It was once said that marriage is the hardest union because man and woman are expected to entrust the most fragile object- the heart- to an imperfect and reckless person.
The danger of destroyed marriage is a real one. Divorce, separation and heartbreak are as real as the sun and moon. However, God promises in His word that if centered on His grace and ability to sustain a marriage, our relationships with our spouses will be invincible (Matthew 19:5).
In our imperfectness, God has invited us to participate in the work of building a strong and God honouring marriage. How can we bless our spouses? Here are five ways we can do so.
1. Serve
Mark 10: 43-44 reminds us, “…But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” Husbands are called to love their wives just as Christ loves the church, and wives are called to submit to their husbands as well.
2. Forgive
Joey Bonifacio says in his book, “The One Lesson That Changed My Marriage,” he shares that forgiveness is the reset button that restores a person’s relationships, and this includes marriages. Husbands and wives will never be perfect ever, and God is calling us to grow marriages through constantly releasing forgiveness to each other.
3. Pray
The context of the kind of prayer in Matthew 18:20 that states “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” is a prayer in the context of growing and mending relationships. Just like anything, relationships grow best when they are soaked in prayer. It’s a wonderful thing to come together as a couple, and even as a family, to pray for each other.
4. Trust
Love cannot exist where trust is absent. If we had to base marriages on the ability the opposite party faithfully follows the conditions of agreement, then no marriage would ever work. But thanks be to God, that we can rely on His grace to mend all hurts and then enable us to stay faithful to each other’s word. If you can’t trust your spouse’s or your own ability, then trust in God’s ability.
5. Respect
Your spouse is a wonderful person, one that God has gifted and called for a greater calling. Husbands and wives should partner with each other by respecting each other’s callings and gifts and by being each other’s number one cheerleader.
How else can you be a blessing to your spouses? Are you maximising your relationship with each other under the wings of a graceful God?
By Patrick Mabilog
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