Dr. Kirby's Top Ten List for Strengthening Your Marriage
7/14/2008
1. Deal with your differences and your difficulties (avoiding conflict is not the answer to a happy marriage). Successful couples are those who learn how to discuss their differences in ways that actually strengthen and improve their relationship.
2. Lower your expectations! Be realistic. Be forgiving and gracious. You're not perfect and neither is your mate. Unmet expectations are one of the biggest deterrents to happiness in marriage.
3. Create moments in your marriage to be together - alone as a couple.The happiest marriages are among couples who spend time together
and enjoy being with each other, having fun, sharing activities and
hobbies, working in ministries, traveling, and building their
friendship.
4. Make your intimate relationship a priority. A happy marriage is a
loving marriage. In a happy marriage, romance must not stop after the honeymoon. Work to keep the love alive in your relationship. Date each other. Take romantic trips away.
5. Learn skills and behaviors that will help you communicate better,
or handle money, or deal with conflict. Wherever you constantly
struggle in your marriage, learn how to do it differently and better
than you are doing it now.
6. Seek out counseling when you get stuck, when you are in a rut, or when your disagreements threaten to destroy your love. Smart couples will realize when they don't know how to fix the problem and get the help they need. See a Christian counselor or a church leader or minister for help.
7. Express appreciation and admiration to your mate on a regular
basis. Research has found this is one of the essential and important ingredients present in healthy marriages. Praise your spouse in front of others. Tell them often that you are proud of them. Appreciate what they do for you and your children. Be an encourager to your mate.
8. Dream and scheme for your future together. Spend time with
your mate planning for your marriage in one year, five years, ten years. Share your hopes and dreams for your marriage.
9.Be a marriage-centered family. In this decade, we are seeing more and more families that are child-centered. Much to the harm of the whole family. Children need to see that their parents love each other. Children are more secure and happier when their parent's marriage is solid and healthy. Don't allow your children to be the main focus of your marriage.
10.Make God the center of your marriage. Be a couple who serves the Lord together. Be active and faithful in your church attendance and participation. Pray with your spouse and for each other. Study God's word as a couple. Seek God's plan and purpose for your marriage and God will truly bless you.
Posted By: jonealkirby | 56 views
Tags: conflict, marriage, relationship
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