Is your marriage struggling under the weight of guilt? Do you find yourself burdened by the culpability of past transgressions? Let’s explore this for a moment.
Have you ever considered why we often refer to car accidents as accidents? It’s because they are, by definition, unintentional. Similarly, a thriving marriage requires intentionality. You need to be deliberate about nurturing your relationship with your spouse.
Make time to connect with your spouse outside the usual environment. Get away from the house, away from the kids, and physically separate yourselves from the everyday stress inducers. Take a walk together, go to Starbucks, or find whatever works for you as a couple. If you attend church, make an effort to worship together, rather than simply sitting side by side.
For those who identify as Christian, consider meditating on this verse and asking God to help you embrace your identity as a new creation in Him: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Surrender your guilt to God. The enemy often seeks to steal your peace and joy. There’s a familiar saying, “Let go and let God.” While it might be a cliché, there’s profound truth in those words! Don’t simply go through the mindless motions. Allow heartfelt emotion to favorably affect your walk with God. When God occupies His proper place in your life, your marriage relationship will flourish.
It’s a simple recipe, but applying the ingredients can be challenging. Nevertheless, it’s ultimately up to you to make the effort! Be intentional, because thriving marriages don’t happen by accident!
As my wife often says, “If you’re going to co-exist, why not work at it? It beats living as strangers or enemies.” Some people seem to expend more energy on angering their spouse than on loving them. This leads to bitter companions, not better soulmates. Remember, it takes two to tango, so both partners need to get dancing!
If you’d like to explore integrating faith into your marriage, consider resources like Eternal Pursuit and Blood Oath.