3 New Year Marriage Resolutions that you won't quit


A resolution is a firm intention to do or not to do something. In marriage, we have already made the commitment to each other for life. However, we want to continue to grow and develop in our relationships with each other. Let's take assessment of our current status and work even harder to make our marriages even better. A couple of years ago we wrote a blog about accounting for your marriage every year. As one year closes and another begins, let's look at three resolutions, or intentions to make us both better.

First, pray often. We tried to make a commitment to pray together daily but yeah...that didn't really happen. When you do not meet your goals, you revise them right? So instead of praying together daily, we have decided to pray for each other regularly. It is actually pretty easy to say "Praying for you" instead of "I love you" sometimes. That is realistic. Then, actually pause and pray. You may even try to develop the habit of saying a quick "Lord, bless my wife today" with every hug. Another idea is to tuck prayer notes in a lunch sack or add a prayer for your husband with every meal. Now THAT we can do!



Second, resolve to encourage your spouse. Some days this is easier than others for sure! We all need it and we should be each other's biggest cheerleaders. It is important for husbands and wives to be encouraged by their own spouse. It is one thing to hear "good job!" at work, from strangers or those in your church, but how sweet it is to hear words of life from the one you love!

You can be encouraging in many creative ways. There are nice marriage cards or notes that you can buy or print off from pinterest if you don't know what to say. Be sure to keep it sincere. No one likes a disingenuous compliment. If it helps, make a list this year for every month of next year. Building each other up and encouraging each other is something that all christians can resolve to do in their marriage. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:11)



Last, be a servant. We saved the best resolution for last. Servanthood is not popular in today's society. It has a negative connotation for many people who equate it with slavery.

We are slaves to Jesus Christ, not to each other.

Servanthood in marriage looks like putting the other person ahead of yourself. Deferring to your spouse does not lessen you as a person, it makes you look more like Christ. (1 Corinthians 7:22) Yesterday was Maurice's first day of vacation and he decided to wake up early and make breakfast for our entire family. Servanthood. It does not take much to give, serve, share or let your spouse go first. The easy way to do this is to think about what you would like done for you. If you would love help with chores, do that for your spouse. If you want more time to yourself, help lighten the load of your spouse - they probably want that too.




The Bible tells us to do unto others as we would have them do to us. (Matthew 7:12) Look to serve, not to be served. (Mark 10:45)  Even if you feel as if you are always the one to serve, do it anyway. Your reward may not be in your marriage, but believe us that you will be rewarded by God. Do not grow weary in well doing. You will reap if you do not faint! (Galatians 6:9) Resolve to obey God in this, especially in your marriage.

The goal is to make praying, encouragement and service a habit. Make them a part of your marriage lifestyle now, and in the years to follow, not just another temporary resolution. Have a Happy New Year in your marriage!




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