A Love that Will Last: 5 Helpful Tips to a Lasting Marriage

While it may not always be easy to place your trust in the hands of God, especially when it becomes a test of patience as well, there's no doubt that waiting on God for the right spouse is an important part of your spiritual journey towards living a godly life. Pray to Him about your feelings, and He'll guide you down the right path. Once you've found the one that you want to spend the rest of your life with, what can you do to pave that road to "as long as you both shall live" so that the ride there is less bumpy? The following is a list of 5 tips that will help you on your marriage journey to a lasting marriage:

1. Allow God to come before all else. rnLet Him into your hearts and your home to bless and nurture the spiritual side of your relationship. Set aside time to pray together or simply thank God for each other. This appreciation of Him will solidify your own bonds to each other.
2. Learn to communicate. While it rarely happens that people will keep positive information or feelings from one another, it's not always the same when circumstances are different. It's important to be able to pull your spouse aside and talk to one another when things aren't so positive. Sharing with one another if feelings are hurt, if something is said or done that makes you angry, or when you're just plain unhappy with a situation is essential. Keeping emotions bottled up only results in resentment. Even the smallest issue can turn into a big problem, so learning to share early on in the relationship will help to avoid blow-ups.
3. Conflict resolution is a must. This can easily be seen as an extension of the previous point. Without good communication skills, conflict resolution can be a difficult task. Take time to sit together when things are calm, and develop a plan for dealing with any conflicts you may face as a couple. This way there are no surprises.
4. Add a touch of humor to your everyday lives. You have probably heard the old saying "Laughter is the best medicine." Perhaps that's because it's true. Tell each other jokes, watch a funny movie, or plan something fun, like playing in the first snowfall, or running on the beach. A little laughter therapy can go a long way.
5. Put your spouse before yourself. After God, your spouse should be your first priority. Let them know how important they are to you every day. Care for their needs and desires first, and you'll feel better about the time you spend away from them.

You see, there's no magical formula, or special process to achieve a love that will stand the test of time. All it takes is faith, a little patience and some common sense. And when all else fails, take some time to pray about the situation. God will show you the way.