Marriage Works if You Work It
by Michelle
Michelle shares her secrets for making a marriage work, no matter what the unique circumstances may be.
There is no one shoe fits all when it comes to marriage. What works for one couple might not work for another. Every marriage is unique. However, the one thing that all marriages need to succeed is….are you ready for it….
WORK!
Marriage is work. There’s not one single thing that makes a marriage successful, but rather, many different little things. It’s going on a date night, consistently, through out your marriage to remember why you fell in love in the first place.
It’s laughing at each others jokes and silly mishaps, talking as friends do and through disagreements, crying together when things get hard, and trying to see the other person’s point of view when fights happen. And they will happen.
Every Marriage Has Problems
Marriage isn’t selfish, but selfless. It’s not 50/50. Sometimes it’s 60/40, 75/25, and so on. I know in my marriage, there are times when I felt like I’m doing more and there are times when he has felt like he’s doing more. When those thoughts happen, you acknowledge them and readjust. Then you get back to work and try your best to put in more effort.
When it comes to making a marriage work, sometimes, we carry more of the load, and other times, our partner does. Marriage isn’t prideful or stubborn. It’s saying sorry when you’re wrong or even if you’re not wrong, depending on the situation.
My husband and I get along really well and we don’t generally argue, but we have had our moments. When we were first married, and an argument arose, I would just stonewall him all day. I would go to bed and wake up the next day and we would just pretend nothing happened. He would do the same thing and it worked for us.
However, sometimes I would have doomsday thoughts and it truly would pain me. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to just stop being stubborn and prideful about me being right or me thinking I’m right. Sometimes you just got to let it go, suck it up, talk it out, and apologize.
Every Marriage Is Unique
There are many more things that complicate marriage sometimes. Children, finances, extended family members, trials, etc. But if you’re willing to put the work in, you will succeed.
I also believe whole heartedly that allowing God into our lives, makes the work a little more easier. If I go to church, study the scriptures, and apply what I’ve learned to my daily life, I often have a soften heart and I’m able to make the decisions I need to keep my marriage and family life healthy.
Every marriage has problems, and every marriage is unique. If you and your spouse are both committed to your marriage, making a marriage work comes down to quality time and hard work.
