Growing as husband and wife

There are so many things we place value on today: gorgeous homes, fast cars, lengthy lists of accomplishments. And while these things are truly valuable, in one sense or another, God calls us to treasure our relationships above all else.

First, we should place our worth in our relationship with our Heavenly Father and then in our relationship with our spouse, if we have one. This is why it is important to choose daily not to take your spouse or your marriage for granted. Togetherness is more important than being right or having the last word.

Cherish the good times and work through the challenges, especially when hurt feelings are involved. In everyday struggles, choose your spouse again. This will then be a true love story – one based on the strong foundation of God’s word and will stand the test of time. To keep your marriage healthy and new, try the following to build your marriage on a strong foundation of God’s word:

• Grant forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32).
• Find and keep joy (James 1:2,3).
• Rely on one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
• Pray and trust together (James 5:16).

Lutheran Tract Mission (LTM) offers numerous resources to strengthen your marriage and those of your children, friends and congregation. Visit the LTM website at www.ltm.org.au and search for ‘marriage’ to find resources to share and encourage each other as you grow together with each other and God.

‘Love is patient, love is kind … It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love’ (1 Corinthians 13:4a,7,13).

Anne Hansen is Lutheran Tract Mission’s Tract Development Officer.