July 26, 2017 6:02 AM CEST
A happy marriage is no accident.
A happy marriage is no accident. As with every other area of life, success in marriage does not happen automatically. The secret to success in any endeavor is planning, and successful planning depends on knowledge. It is only when we have accurate and adequate information that we can plan for success. Many of us are willing to spend years in school receiving an education that we believe will prepare us for success in our chosen career or profession.
We pursue education because education makes us versatile, and versatility. Rather than leave our success to chance, we plan carefully for it. If we are so careful about planning for career success, why aren’t we just as careful about planning for success in marriage? After all, we spend years preparing for a career that may change at any time, yet devote very little time preparing for a relationship that is supposed to last a lifetime.
Understanding that love is a choice will help keep you out of trouble when temptation comes (and it will). Knowing you have made a decision to love your husband or your wife will carry you through those times when he or she has made you angry, or when you see that handsome or attractive coworker at the office. You could have married someone else, but that’s not the point. The point is you made a decision. When you married your spouse, you chose to love and cherish him or her for the rest of your life. That love must be freshened daily.
Let’s consider ten foundation stones upon which to build a happy and successful marriage:
• Love
• Truth
• Trust
• Commitment
• Respect
• Submission
• Knowledge
• Faithfulness
• Patience
• Financial stability
In addition to these foundation stones, there are several “marriage ability” traits we should consider—qualities of personality and character that will enhance the building of a strong marriage.
Eight important “marriage ability” traits:
• Adaptability
• Empathy
• Ability to work through problems
• Ability to give and receive love
• Emotional stability
• Ability to communicate
• Similarities between the couples themselves
• Similar family background.
A happy marriage is no accident.