ArticleTips For Maintaining a Christian Marriage

When humans grow up, marriage seems to be the last list in a person's long journey. Usually everyone has their own reasons, but ensuring financial, mental, emotional and physical readiness is most often used as an excuse.

This awareness needs to be grateful, remembering that in marriage, love alone is not enough. Of course there are other aspects that must be considered, because marriage is done once for a lifetime. Like a word, there is no reason to turn back, it cannot be undone, and there is no option for divorce whatever the reason.

Based on marriage as a sacred bond and once for a lifetime, it is better for someone to start equipping themselves as early as possible.

What is marriage?

“The LORD God said, 'It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Gen. 2:18)

This Bible verse is often the cornerstone of a marriage.

This implies that marriage exists at the initiative and design of God for human beings, because the first institution established by God on earth is family. Before starting a family, one man and one woman must go through a process called marriage.

Marriage is also known as a sacred agreement between one man and one woman to live together under any circumstances until death picks up. In this case, what God has joined together, man is not allowed to separate (Matthew 19:6).

In addition, marriage is not only a sacred agreement between humans and humans, but also humans and partners, and God. As something sacred, God created a monogamous marriage. One for one. Marriage consists of one husband and one wife.

Foundation in marriage

Married life is certainly not always easy. Every household has its own challenges. But when marriage feels too heavy, is giving in to circumstances the only solution? Certainly not.

Marriage was formed by God, therefore a Christian marriage must be directed to God and rooted in God's Word. As it is written in Psalm 127:1, "Unless the Lord builds the house, then the efforts of those who build it are in vain." Therefore, it is very important to involve God in marriage.

Christian families are expected to be able to build relationships through prayer, thanksgiving, and worship. Even though there is no sure guarantee that life will always be smooth, free of obstacles and obstacles, God's Word can give strength to face struggles, and can provide recovery.

Quoting from the book Sacred Marriage by Gary L. Thomas, it is good for humans to view marriage from God's perspective. Based on a human perspective, marriage will be maintained as long as there is comfort, and the fulfillment of desires and expectations. Meanwhile, in God's perspective, humans must take care of marriage, because marriage brings glory to God, and is an example of God's love for a sinful world.

Relationship tips

Referring to the foundation that marriage should be God-centered and rooted in the Word, there are several important points that can help maintain a marriage relationship:

1. Commitment

Commitment is one of the fundamentals in relationships, especially marriage. Commitment involves a deep sense of devotion to one another, selflessness, a willingness to grow together, and a form of respect for promises made before God and the congregation as witnesses.

As time goes by, love or feelings will no longer be the same, even towards your partner. Along the way, feelings may fade because they are.

Therefore, marriage requires not only love, but also commitment. Commitment to maintain the marriage, also trying to keep the love burning. Without commitment, a relationship will be bland. Commitment requires hard work and self-sacrifice.

2. Communication

Good communication plays a crucial role in a Christian marriage. Living under the same roof and even sharing a bed with someone who doesn't understand, will certainly be very tiring.

But humans often forget that a sense of understanding is also formed from good communication. Have the problems been communicated properly? Have you tried to find a way out with a cool head?

If not, try to open communication calmly.

People say, don't expect much from something that is not communicated.

That's right, because how can a partner understand, when it's not communicated? Therefore it is important to lower expectations and improve communication. Lower expectations that silence will make your partner understand, because of course your partner doesn't have the ability to read minds.

In addition, communication also plays an important role in conflict resolution. Effective communication allows partners to speak calmly, honestly, and openly with mutual respect. Husbands and wives can work together in finding solutions, understanding each other, and improving relationships.

3. Forgiveness

Everyone certainly makes mistakes, both in the past, present and in the future. Nothing is truly perfect without gaps. For this reason, it is necessary to understand that marriage occurs between two humans who are both imperfect, so marriage does not have to be perfect.

When a couple makes a mistake that hurts the heart, the Bible teaches that believers must release forgiveness, forgive one another (Eph. 4:32).

Forgiveness plays an important role in healing and healing broken marriages. Forgiveness is not an option, but a necessity. Forgiveness allows for healing, conflict resolution, and an opportunity to rebuild relationships. Certainly not easy, but not impossible to do either.

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