BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A HAPPY MARRIAGE

And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” – Matthew 7:25

REFERENCE:

MATTHEW 7:24-27

In today’s text, Jesus talks about the importance of having a strong and firm foundation for whatever one builds. He stresses the need to build on a rock, the rock being obedience to His teachings. So that when the storms come, and the winds blow, and the waves crash, the building remains firm and strong – unshaken, unmoved, unbroken and undisturbed. This means once your relationship or marriage is built on the foundation rock of obedience (practicing Christ’s words), you can be sure of safety and security.

Using the metaphor of building, there are certain ‘building blocks’ that must be deployed in building a successful relationship/marriage. These are principles found in the word of God; they are not cheap building materials but tried and tested truths of God’s word. No wonder Jesus gave a guarantee that whoever builds with them will have his home/marriage outlast any storm. If you use inferior materials (the wisdom of this world/age), you may be disappointed when your building fails to hold up under the storms of marital testing. You will then need to start all over again…which sometimes, becomes more difficult than the first attempt.

A good marriage is not achieved by magic; it answers to certain sets of principles. Whoever practices them will reap their fruits. I will now show you some tried and tested ‘building blocks’ for a successful marriage.

Forgiveness: This is the greatest gift you can give to each other. There is no true love where forgiveness is lacking; it is the root of love. Everything is forgivable – make the choice.

Talk About Everything: When you talk about everything, you leave no room for insinuations or for the devil to sow lies, and it helps resolve issues quickly. The depth of your closeness to each other is dependent on the breadth of your communication with each other.

Protect Your Oneness: You are a team. You are meant to complement each other, not compete with each other. All the devil attacks in a marriage is oneness. That’s where your power lies, protect it at all cost. Even when you have disagreements, make up quickly and come together.

Verbal Appreciation: Never get used to the wonder of your spouse. They are God’s special gift to you; an evidence of His love for you. Always praise, appreciate and commend them.

Help One Another: One reason God gave Eve to Adam was to help him. Help each other and support each other. Lift each other. Don’t let one be under a burden, while the other is lax.

Play Together: Make time for it.  Be deep-spirited friends. Don’t catch your fun outside of your spouse; decide to make them the source of your joy/fun. Enjoy each other’s company.

Be Jesus to Each Other: Love each other sacrificially and submit to each other. Imagine Jesus was married to your spouse, what kind of spouse would He be? How would He treat them?

Pray Together: By strength shall no man prevail. Unless the Lord builds a house, the laborers labor in vain, and “God is the builder of all things.” An understanding of this should spur you to spend time together in spiritual activities – prayers, church attendance, singing, etc.

Invest in the kind of marriage you want, it’s in your hands (every house is built by a man). The success of your marriage does not lie with your pastor, your parents, your friends, the devil, and most shockingly, not even in the hands of God – he has given you everything you need for life and godliness. Therefore, husband, take responsibility for the outlook and outcome of your home; don’t leave it to your wife. Take the lead in all things and your wife will follow. That’s how to build your house. Be the chief builder!

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY

Matthew 13:44-46, Hebrews 3:4 & Proverbs 24:3&4

PRAYER

Lord, you are the builder of all things and unless you build a house, in vain do the builders build. Today, I ask for your grace to build what is unshakable and unmovable. It is not of him that runs or of him that wills, but of you who shows mercy. As I build on the firm foundation that is Christ, I receive mercy to help me build a solid home. By Your supernatural help, Your everlasting arms will guide me and my spouse as we build each other and everything you have committed into our hands in Jesus name.