Five Steps to a Good Marriage

Every couple can have a good marriage. By applying and following a few rules and I do mean rules. Sit down with your spouse today and read this article. Then agree together to apply these rules to your marriage. You will not only build a better marriage, but a happier family. You will also find yourself becoming a better person in all aspects of your life.

Step One to a Good Marriage: Respect Each Other
The Bible gives us a divine order for how a family should be structured. The father is the head of the house, with the mother having a slightly lower authority, but an equal amount of respect. After the mother comes the children, however every member of the family has rights and should receive equal respect.

Respect for each other means that you will make decisions together, never call each other names, and NEVER threaten divorce. Just because the man has been given the divine authority over the family does not mean that he controls everything. Marriage is a partnership and each partner has an equal stake in the marriage.

Step Two to a Good Marriage: Trust Each Other
A lie, is a lie. There should NEVER be any reason to lie or hide the truth from your spouse. A marriage with secrets is a marriage doomed to failure. Neither spouse should have a reason to doubt what the other spouse has said, done, or where they have been.

Step Three to a Good Marriage: Have Fun
A couple who plays together, stays together. You have to be able to have fun and enjoy life and each other. My husband and I have been married for almost fourteen years and we still have tickle fights, wrestle sessions, and laugh fests. We enjoy reminiscing about the funny things that have happened to us and by enjoying hobbies together and date nights we are constantly making new memories.

Step Four to a Good Marriage: Share Responsibility
Chores, discipline, and decisions should be shared equally. If something is not shared equally then the decision to change the equation needs to be made together. By sharing resonsibilties and decisions neither spouse will ever be at fault for a failed venture.

It is my strong belief that discipline is not only more effective, but more respected when both parents share the responsibility of disciplining. Mom should never threaten, "Your going to be in trouble when your father hears about this." The discipline should be immediate and appropriate. I recommend sitting down and discussing with each other what you believe disciplne is and how discipline will be handled.

Step Five to a Good Marriage: Admit When Your Wrong
Don't be afraid to admit that you were wrong or that you need help. We are not perfect beings, so we will make mistakes. We should be able to admit to our spouse that we were wrong, knowing that the spouse will show support rather than rubbing the bad decision in our face. We should also be able to admit when we need extra help for a problem, decision, or addiction.