If marriage was designed to grow stronger and more beautiful over time, why is that trend not being reflected in the marriages around us? This week, Leslie answers that question by sharing two practical ways to strengthen your marriage and gain a vision for how to approach relationships selflessly rather than selfishly. Plus, we have an exciting announcement! Leslie will be hosting a Marriage and Motherhood Retreat this fall in Windsor, CO. Tune in to get the details and learn more about this vision-casting event.
PODCAST TRANSCRIPT
Whether you’ve been married for a few months or a few years, or if you’re single and looking ahead to the future, these principles can help you understand God’s pattern for a marriage that goes the distance.
If you have been disturbed by the dismal relationship and marital forecasts of others, remember that the God who has authored romance and marriage desires to faithfully script beautiful love stories that don’t end in disillusionment.
The secret to marriage success is surprisingly simple: keep Christ at the center of your individual lives. When you look to Jesus Christ, and not each other, to fulfill the deepest needs and ongoing of your soul, you will approach your marriage from a selfless perspective.
A selfish perspective is often how people approach their relationships today. It’s the attitude that asks, “What can I get from this relationship?” rather than, “What can I give to this relationship?”
C.T. Studd once said, “Marriage can be either a taste of heaven on earth or a taste of hell on earth depending on where you place the Cross.”
PRACTICAL WAYS TO CULTIVATE A SHIFT OF PATTERN IN YOUR MARRIAGE:
1. FIND YOUR FULFILLMENT IN CHRIST
Seek to cultivate and deepen your daily relationship with Christ instead of looking to your spouse or future spouse to meet needs that only Christ can fulfill. Spend time in His presence, worship, pour out your heart before Him, and go to Him in prayer.
Remember that in Christ we have everything we need to be content and truly happy right now. He is the only One who will never fail you, disappoint you, or never act selfishly towards you.
2. ASK A DIFFERENT QUESTION
Key Question: Am I loving and serving my spouse (or future spouse) as God intends me to?
When we focus on our own needs in relationships, we can quickly become dissatisfied.
Approach your husband with a selfless attitude when addressing concerns in a loving, patient manner. In a healthy marriage, when we focus on serving, loving, and respecting our spouse, in turn, he will seek to better understand, serve, love and appreciate you.
When we tear down our husband with our words and attitudes we pull down his moral and the fabric of our family.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When we tear down our husbands with our words and actions we not only pull down his morale, but we begin to tear the fabric of our family. When marriages are strong, families are strong. This is why we see marriage being deliberately attacked by the enemy. Rather, than giving the enemy a foothold in your marriage and family, prayerfully evaluate whether you are approaching your spouse selfishly or selflessly. Let God shine His searchlight within your soul, and He will correct any of the attitudes you’ve embraced.
KEY SCRIPTURES
Proverbs 14:1
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Leslie will be exploring God’s vision for marriage and family at her upcoming retreat this fall. Learn more about the Marriage & Motherhood Retreat here. Early bird pricing lasts through September 30th and there are only 40 seats available for this retreat. We hope to see you there!
