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Marriage Maintenance: 5 Tips to Sustain a Healthy Marriage

August 21, 2014 by Lauren 26 Comments

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Tips to Sustain a Healthy Marriage

5 Tips to Sustain a Healthy Marriage | Satisfaction Through Christ blog

Did you say “I do” with stars in your eyes?

Did you think because you were marrying a Christian that your marriage would be without troubles?

Did you think that because you were madly in love that you would always feel that way?

Did you think that your spouse could not possibly ever disappoint you?

Did you think that because you waited to co-habitate until after you were married that adjusting to life as a married couple would be enjoyable?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, chances are that you have since realized that marriage isn’t always predictable and pleasurable.  There was a time much earlier in my marriage when I considered myself loyally, not so much happily, married.  I’ve learned some valuable lessons over the past 8 years, and I’d like to share that practical knowledge with you.  Hopefully you will benefit from these nuggets as much as my husband and I have!

5 Tips to Sustain a Healthy Marriage

1. Have realistic expectations.  Your spouse will do, not do, say, and not say things that will upset you.  Think about the grace you want your spouse to extend to you in the midst of troubles exacerbated by miscommunication.  Evaluate whether your expectations are reasonable or not and make changes where necessary.

Additionally, be careful not to overdose on “romantic” novels, movies, and songs.  The world is ripe with romanticized notions of relationships and marriage.  Censoring your exposure to media output will also help keep your expectations of your spouse realistic.

2. Increase your frustration tolerance.  Over the years, your spouse will challenge you in many ways.  View these challenges as opportunities to become a better YOU.  Employing patience when it does not come naturally will actually benefit you!  Your tolerance level will increase over time, promoting your ability to adjust to various scenarios when necessary.  Platonic relationships may improve as well; who knows how many arguments will be averted due to practicing patience?

3. Beware of “Black and White” thinking patterns.  This type of thinking is very extreme and is also termed “all or nothing” thinking.  Thinking this way when a disagreement has occurred between you and your spouse puts unnecessary pressure on the relationship.  This type of thinking is due to unhealthy defense mechanisms we often adopt while growing up.  It is important to be aware of this type of thinking so that you can recognize it if you do it.  It may take years to overcome this tendency, but being aware of it is the first step! Taking your thoughts “captive to Christ” will be important here, as will developing a mindset like we see Jesus display in the gospels.

4. Avoid making comparisons.  Did you know that you can lust with your thoughts and not just your eyes?  A lot of times women do this without even realizing it!  ‘If my husband was more like so and so’s husband…”  Chances are you have done this a time or two when you are upset with your husband.  Avoid doing this at all costs!  This habit is very dangerous and can breed contempt and ungratefulness toward your spouse.  Employing self control in regards to your thought life will do wonders for your attitude toward yourself and others.

5. Seek therapy when necessary.  Going to therapy does not mean your marriage is a lost cause.  It means you care enough about your commitment to make it work at all costs, to WANT to survive the ups and downs.  Go with a humble attitude and expect to work hard.  HARDER THAN YOU EVER HAVE.  You will learn things about yourself and your spouse that may be hard to swallow.  However, you cannot make improvements unless you know what needs improving!  I recommend seeing a licensed Christian therapist so that you will receive practical AND biblical advice.

I have worked hard over the years using these 5 tips in my own marriage.  I find that my marriage has benefited greatly from my and my husband’s hard work – there are a huge benefits to doing this “marriage work,” together – as a team. Your marriage is sometimes your greatest testimony.

What have you done that has helped improve your marriage?

Lauren Optimized Signature

We recommend these great Christian resources on marriage!

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Lauren

Lauren is a wife to an awesome man of God and a new mommy to a fearfully and wonderfully made princess! She also has two fur children, Hank and Lola. Lauren graduated from LSU with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She has been a writer as long as she can remember and wants to use her gift to glorify God. Lauren believes in the power of the Word and wants to encourage all believers with practical and biblical wisdom. Lauren is blessed to be able to stay home with her daughter full time! She loves to attend church, write, read, and sleep in her spare time.
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Latest posts by Lauren (see all)

  • 15 Confessions of a Christian Mom - January 19, 2016
  • The Case for Faith: Objection #6 - October 26, 2015
  • The Case for Faith: Objection #5 - September 28, 2015

Filed Under: Christian Living, Lauren, Marriage Tagged With: Christian Marriage, healthy, Healthy Marriage, Lauren, Maintenance, Marriage, Marriage Advice, Tips

Comments

  1. Shirley says

    August 21, 2014 at 11:22 am

    Lauren, your last sentence of point number 1 is so overlooked, but so true. I wholly believe that many relationships and marriages would be far healthier if we all exercised a bit more caution and self control/discipline when it comes to media choices. Thanks for the tips. Paul and I recently celebrated six years and are planning on a lifetime of more anniversaries! 🙂

    Reply
  2. balmtomysoul says

    August 21, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    These are all so true. Marriage is work, and we have to put in or else it seems too easy to “get out”. I think it is more than a commitment, but a covenant, and we have to work at it to stay healthy and happy!! Thanks for some great reminders.

    Reply
  3. DeDivahDeals says

    August 23, 2014 at 2:01 am

    Thanks for sharing again at the #WWDParty.

    Reply
  4. lbeauwilliams says

    August 23, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    Thanks for reading y’all!!! I’m glad that something in my tips resonated with you 🙂

    Reply
  5. Jamie Rippy (@MamaMommyMom) says

    August 24, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Those are all so true!

    Reply
    • lbeauwilliams says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:08 am

      Ikr! Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  6. Whitney from Beauty in the Mess says

    August 24, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    Great tips! I highly recommend CCEF resources. They are amazing.

    Reply
  7. Kate K says

    August 24, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    Love these. I especially need to work on my frustration tolerance with my husband.

    Reply
    • lbeauwilliams says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:07 am

      It’s a daily thing!!! You got this girl.

      Reply
  8. Kelley @ {The Best Crowe's Nest} says

    August 25, 2014 at 7:53 am

    These are great tips and SO TRUE! While not always easy to practice, so important to our marriages!!

    Reply
    • lbeauwilliams says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:09 am

      Not easy but worth it!! Thanks for reading 🙂

      Reply
  9. Kim Adams Morgan says

    August 25, 2014 at 10:29 am

    Hi Lauren, Stopping in from Monday Musings. I love your tips on keeping marriages healthy. I’m a marriage blogger too @ Pouring Down Like Rain. Helping couples have God-centered marriages is my passion. So glad to meet you today! Blessings.

    Reply
  10. Stefanie says

    August 26, 2014 at 12:34 am

    I love this post, Christie! I am not yet married, but I do have a fiancée and I am reading all I can so that we can make our marriage as healthy as we can from the start. These are very true points, and I am feeling kinda humbled!!

    Reply
    • lbeauwilliams says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:10 am

      Thanks so much for reading!!! Marriage is hard work but very rewarding when you honor and obey God in your responses to your spouse. Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!!!

      Reply
  11. Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says

    August 27, 2014 at 3:15 am

    These are all great tips, but I especially love #4. Here is what I wrote recently about what I have learned in 21 years of marriage. http://myoverflowingcup.com/9-ways-to-speak-love-into-your-marriage/ May God continue to bless yours richly.

    Reply
    • lbeauwilliams says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:11 am

      Yes people compare too much these days and think it’s okay!!!! Thank God that He doesn’t compare us with one another!!!!

      Reply
  12. 2crochethooks says

    August 28, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    Great tips and advice! A great sense of humor helps as well 🙂 30 yrs this year here!

    Reply
    • lbeauwilliams says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:12 am

      Thanks for appreciating my sense of humor!!! Congrats on 30 years!

      Reply
  13. Eva@Whole Food Mom on a Budget says

    August 29, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    These are great tips. Thanks for sharing at Savoring Saturdays!

    Reply
  14. Shannon says

    September 1, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    All are GREAT tips and oh so true! Thanks for posting! I just found your blog through the link up and I’m glad I did! I will foliow you on social media! Im fairly new to blogging and its really nice to mingle with fellow believers! xoShannon

    Reply
  15. Bernadyn Nettles (B) says

    October 7, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    Hi, saw your link in the round up of marriage posts at The Happiness Blogger. I think #2 is a great tip and one I can benefit from. Also, #5 is something that you hit the nail on, seeking help doesn’t mean a lost cause or a failed marriage. This is something my husband and I would like to do to see it from an outside perspective and to nourish our marriage.

    Reply

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