Four years ago, I spoke to a group of couples about achieving success in their marital relationship. I do not consider myself an expert in this arena, but after 50 plus years of marriage, some thoughts come to mind. Let me share them with you.
You must love. The kind of love the Apostle Paul speaks of in his letter to the Corinthians. “Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy and does not parade itself. Love is not puffed up and does no behave rudely. Love does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.” (Corinthians 13:4-8)
You must care. Caring requires you to respond to the needs within your relationship. “…but that the members should have the same care for one another. …and if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or if one members is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” (Corinthians 12: 25-26)
You must understand. Understanding starts from not knowing and gathers meaning from what is heard. “…you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before God.” (Daniel 10: 12)
You must trust. Trust brings honesty, integrity, reliability and sincerity. Trust never intends to hurt.
“And again, I put my trust in Him.” (Hebrews 2: 13)
You must appreciate. Appreciate the value and effort of each other … say “thank you!” … “in everything give thanks.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)
I practice these thoughts every day.