How to Keep Your Marriage Healthy

Follow these five tips for a marriage that can last a lifetime:

1. Determine it’s going to succeed. Remove any
alternative other than success from your marriage. That means no
matter how big the disagreement, you’ll not use the word “divorce.”
If you preset in your minds that it will succeed, you’re more
likely to have a marriage that works.

2. Get past the superficial. Arguments are typically not
really about leaving a dirty sock on the floor or dishes in the sink.
Those are just symptoms. Get to the root of the issue and find out
what’s really bothering your spouse. Then, you can address what
needs attention and have healthy discussions.

3. Form a strong partnership. Couples are strong when
they’re united. Stay connected on your goals, desires and decisions
for your family. Then, make sure you’re united when setting and
achieving them!

4. Don’t be passive or controlling. Don’t make the
mistake of falling into familiar patterns of a passive husband and
controlling wife. If the men step up and stay involved in their
family, the wives don’t have to worry and control. Let the husband
be the hero and the wife support him.

5. Let God have the last word. Relationships can get a
whole lot easier when you don’t have to worry about whether you or
your spouse is right. Leave it up to God and let his word be the last
word.

The wedding is the fun part. Then you need to work to keep your
marriage healthy. Incorporate God into your marriage and bring hope
to the home.

Steve Gray, pastor of World Revival Church in Kansas City, Mo.,
has been married to his wife, Kathy, for more than 37 years. The pair
ministers together around the world, helping to restore marriages,
relationships, finances and hope to millions of people.