Throughout the scriptures, we are warned that in the last days, perilous times will come (2 Timothy 3:1-7). During these perilous times, three unbecoming traits come to mind which upset the balance and peace of a marriage and choosing to be close to God.
Selfishness: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Apostle, Neal A Maxwell said: “Selfishness is really self-destruction in slow motion…”
Pride: C.S. Lewis once wrote: “For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.”
Anger: Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “For every minute you are angry you lose 60 seconds of happiness.”
Whether you are married for the first time or not, finding ways to draw closer to God and your spouse strengthens both relationships. As spouses, we can remind ourselves how keeping God on our minds and in our homes help smooth over difficult trials, hurt feelings or selfishness, pride and anger.
Here are four ways which will help accomplish this feat:
Pray and read scriptures together every day:
These two actions alone will help keep a couple closer. If there are disagreements, pray to help resolve them. If the mood is sour, read scriptures together. If there are trials, pray for the strength for both of you to find a way to deal with them.
Scripture reading and praying together helps to end or begin the day on a good note. Paul mentions this in the second epistle of Timothy (2Timothy 3:16). Praying and reading each day establishes a great habit. Reading doesn’t have to be long-winded either. Personally, we do a page a day which helps set a spiritual tone. With these two tools, couples draw closer to God and each other.
Attend services together
Attending church together every Sunday unifies both husband and wife. We can help each other spiritually and most times couples find the same friends at church who have the same ideals.
A church, synagogue, or mosque is the best place to be on your Sabbath. The hour sitting and listening can help calm a troubled heart and draw closer to God and your spouse.
Remember to Laugh
Life can get pretty serious sometimes and nothing breaks the tension like a good laugh. We can stay healthier and happier by laughing often and good feelings stick around longer. This is a great source of encouragement and makes life much more pleasant as well as a way of forgiving your spouse. Forgiveness comes easier in small disagreements and keeping a happy spirit between you and your spouse keeps God in your heart.
Stay on the same page
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If couples have the same goals and want the same wishes they work together as a team. In future goals, activities or work, couples who believe in each other to accomplish a life mission will find meaning in their life together.
Sharing struggles and the successes keep a marriage together for a long time. If God is the center of a marriage with both spouses working to achieve the best possible life together, they can accomplish much.
Married life won’t be perfect but with these four suggestions, a husband and wife can come closer to each other and to God. Relationships take constant nurturing and with God as your guide, a lasting, happy married relationship will be the reward for your efforts.
Valerie Steimle has been writing as a family advocate for over 25 years. As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she promotes Christian living in her writings and is the mother of nine children and grandmother to twelve. Mrs. Steimle authored six books and is a contributing writer to several online websites. To her, time is the most precious commodity we have and knows we should spend it wisely.
To read more of Valerie's work, visit her at her website, The Blessings of Family Life.
