Building a Marraige that Lasts!

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Could I be so bold as to say I hold the secret to a long, prosperous, happy marriage? Yes, I could. Because, well, I do! I know the secret of having a healthy and happy marriage, and it’s not rocket science, my lovebirds. You don’t need the expertise of a marriage counselor to tell you to practice love and respect, to do this and not that, and so on—because that may not be what you need once you’ve hit the breaking point.

Are you ready to learn the secret to a marriage that’s healthy and happy?

Here it is: Pamper it from the beginning and chances are it won’t go bad.

Sound too easy?

I’m sure we’re all familiar with the expression “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The thing is, we tend to neglect what “ain’t broke” until it eventually does break. Then guess what? We’ve got to fix it, and putting those little broken pieces together one by one can be tedious and tiresome.          
But if you cherish, pamper, and protect what “ain’t broke” chances are it will never break.

Have you seen these health and fitness shows on TV where sick and obese people go to get help? They have neglected their bodies for so long that if they don’t do something fast, they could die. They have a plethora of health issues: high blood pressure, high triglycerides, diabetes, just to name a few. They’re on the verge of becoming very ill, bedridden, and even facing death if they don’t immediately make some drastic lifestyle changes. Why do they wait until it’s almost too late before seeking help? For some, it’s just a lack of discipline.
It’s the same thing with marriage. If you take care of your relationship from the beginning, you have a better chance of keeping it healthy.

People often comment to Toby and I that we are a “power couple,” and many times I’m asked what keeps our marriage so strong. I could give a cheesy and generic answer such as, “love and respect for one another,” and that’s part of it, I agree. But the real powerhouse behind our marriage is that we pamper it. We take care of it and give it attention when nothing is wrong. That’s right, when NOTHING is wrong with it.

How do you “pamper” your marriage?

A few great ways are by attending different marriage gatherings, such as seminars, weekend retreats, simulcasts, workshops, or a Bible study on marriage.

If we keep our marriage strong and in tiptop shape from the start, odds are it won’t ever breakdown on us.

When we first set our wedding date (a year in advance), we immediately started protecting our future marriage by joining in on some of the above mentioned activities. We weren’t even married yet and we were already caring for and cherishing our relationship.

That, my friends, is the secret to a long lasting, healthy, loving marriage.

I’m not saying our marriage is perfect. Nothing in life is perfect, but we have very few complaints, and we attribute that to giving our union the attention it needs to keep growing in a healthy manner.

What does the Bible say about marriage?  

First of all, Jesus tells us “a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together” (Mark 10:7-9).

Let no one split apart what God has joined together. These are Jesus’ words.

The enemy attacks first on families. He wants to destroy the family unit God has created. Anyone who tries to break up a marriage will face the repercussions.

“A cord of three strands is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
In other words, a godly union is more powerful than anything coming against it.

The first thing I notice when Toby and I attend these marriage seminars is that the majority of the couples present are having major marital problems and that’s why they’re attending. Usually, Toby and I are the only ones smiling. Don’t wait ‘til it’s broke, people!

In a nutshell, pamper your marriage from day one. Don’t wait until rough waters to tend to it; it may be too late by then. Keep your union strong by attending marriage seminars, retreats, Bible studies, etc….

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord (Proverbs 18:22).

Marriage should be honored by all (Hebrews 13:4).