What a Marriage Needs

Good morning, Five Minute Families! Our oldest is getting married this weekend, and we are seeing so many posts of June weddings! A strong marriage is the foundation of a strong family. At Clear View Retreat we enjoy supporting and mentoring marriages, watching husbands and wives grow in understanding of each other and God’s purpose for marriage. Marriage is more than who we like or who makes our hearts pitter-pat the most. Marriage is an opportunity to mirror God’s image. Genesis tells us, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Today, let’s discuss five aspects of building a strong marriage which will mirror the image of God. Marriage requires commitment. God is committed to us. The Bible demonstrates this in verse after verse. Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” When we adopt God’s commitment in our marriages, we see that when the warm fuzzies have faded and chaos of life invades, true love – rooted in God’s example of commitment – allows a couple to commit again to one another. Then, the couple has the endurance and patience to continue to weave a life of one flesh as Genesis says we must. Marriage needs compassion. We each have different experiences and perspectives. We must have compassion and choose to better understand one another and the different roles we have in a Christian marriage. 1 Peter 3:7 tells us, “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” A good explanation of that verse is from Knowing-Jesus.com: “Weakness [in 1 Peter 3:7] does not imply inferiority and nowhere in the Bible is this concept ever implied, which is why Christian husbands just like Christian wives are to live together in an understanding way. A husband is