Melanie writing for Dayspring wrote and I share the sentiments expressed.

“I choose daily not to take my spouse or my marriage for granted. Several key Scriptures for strong marriages show us how to prioritize these relationships—and create a true love story of our own. Over the past 17 years, I’ve learned to hold strong to a few Biblical concepts that have helped me grow deeper in my relationship with my husband. For instance, I’ve learned that togetherness is way more important than being right or having the last word.

• And I’ve learned to cherish the good times – even the little things like our dinner-time conversations, sweet embraces, movie nights and small, fun outings.
• And, while there have definitely been moments of disrespect and hurt feelings, at the end of the day, and every morning I wake, I choose my husband all over again.

And that, my friends, is a true love story – one that is based on the strong foundation of God’s Word and one that will stand the test of time.

Here are a few more concepts and key Bible verses about relationships that have helped me build a solid foundation for my marriage:

1. Grant Forgiveness—Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32 (NIV). I recently told a couple friends of ours that one thing I’m so much better at now than those first years is forgiveness. I haven’t gotten it all figured out but it just gets easier. Find it in your heart to forgive because He forgave for all that we’ve done.
2. Find and Keep Joy—Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-3 (NIV). All but two years of our marriage have survived on only one income. Our raising three children and my having a strong desire to be at home meant my husband working long hours and our family having to say “no” to many things. But we have each other. We have a healthy family. Joy can be found even during difficult times if you search for joy in each other.

(My wife gave up a more rewarding career that earned more money that mine at that time, for the sake of the raising the children in a godly way–emphasis mine)

1. Rely on One Another—Therefore encourage one another and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV). My husband is my best friend. He’s the first one I turn to when I need advice or encouragement. I truly believe with all my heart that being each other’s closest companion has allowed our relationship to build a trust that is unequivocal. 
2. Pray and Trust Together—Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16 (NIV). Sharing my pain points and failures with my husband allows him to encourage me with God’s Word. When we share our inadequacies with our spouse, they can lift us up in prayer. This is the most important part of our marriage journey together. Making God your number one allows you to freely love and serve your spouse even through the tough times.

Pursuing God’s will for my marriage has been a journey. And, although I don’t always take the right path, studying His Word has certainly helped me base my marriage on a solid foundation. Where are you in your journey? Do you find it hard to forgive your spouse? Are you relying on each other? Is there something that is separating you from the marriage that God intended for you to have? If so, I invite you to study the Scriptures above and to ask God to guide you in your steps as you learn to grow in both your relationship with Christ Jesus and your spouse.”**Taken from DaySpring

The only way the things spoken by Melanie held true, was that the relationship between her and her spouse stood on mutual vulnerability and unconditional love. Beloved it is possible and it’s time for a paradigm shift! Selah.

Pastor Afolabi Oladele