But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
1 Corinthians 7:28

Marriage is a blessing from God, but there will be challenges to face in your relationship. Understanding how to build your marriage God’s way is so important and leads to His peace, goodness, and blessing in your life. You may not always feel like loving your spouse, speaking gently, or compromising on decisions, but the Bible says that God’s ways are higher than our ways. Choosing to live His way can be difficult, and sometimes you have to choose to love even when you do not feel like it. Your emotions will not always line up with what God asks you to do, but His ways are always better.

All relationships will face disagreements, and there is a temptation to respond based on emotion or anger, but instead God asks you to respond with love and grace. When entering into a disagreement, remember that the most important thing is not the issue, but the relationship. Take care not to sacrifice your spouse for an argument. Don’t ask, “Who is right?” but instead ask, “What is right?” Proverbs 15:1 says, A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. When you come to a disagreement, it is like driving on the rumble strip down the highway. Once in a while, you will get off course, but know that it is much easier to course correct back onto the road with a gentle response than to end up in the ditch.

But do not think that marriage only brings problems, trouble, and disagreements; marriage is a blessing from God! A godly marriage requires that you lay down your life for your spouse just as Jesus did for you, and He tells us that there is no greater love than that! In John 15:12 Jesus says, This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. As you lay down your life for each other, God will guide you into greater joy, peace, and love.

God has designed marriage as a beautiful partnership through which you can reach places and dreams that you could not on your own. Think on this: there are times when you are the only person that can help your spouse achieve their dreams! As you submit your marriage to God, watch as you and your spouse blossom under His love and guidance.