FIVE PHASES OF MARRIAGE (PART 3)
FIVE PHASES OF MARRIAGE (PART 3)
By Bisi Adewale
This is the concluding part of the series, FIVE STAGES OF MARRIAGE and these last two are as important as the previous three. They follow each other as stated.
FOURTH PHASE – CONSTRUCTION
For any marriage to endure, many things must be built up, if attaining a great marriage is your desire.
For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4 KJV).
You need to build up the following:
- Develop a positive mental attitude about marriage and your spouse.
- Build good character. Your character is your marriage; the picture of your marriage will be taken by the camera of your character, so build up your marriage by building up your character.
- Develop relational ability. Learn how to relate well with your spouse and in-laws.
- Do prayer warfare. Build up yourself by praying; don’t leave your marriage defenseless. Protect it with prayer and fasting; don’t be ignorant of the devices of the enemy.
FIFTH PHASE – MAINTAINANCE
Learn how to keep the home in the shape you want it to be. One major problem with marriage is maintenance. It is easier to start a marriage than to maintain it. And many people have failed at this point. So you need to learn to maintain your marriage and do it intentionally. Go all out to build a great marriage by keeping it like a good farmer will do to his productive trees.
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured Proverbs 27:18 KJV.
You need certain tools to maintain your marriage.
- Patience. You need to be patient if your marriage must stand tall and solid.
- Forgiveness. The act of forgiveness also helps you to keep your marriage, since you and your spouse will offend each other one way or the other in your journey in life.
- Prayer. Prayer is also needed; pray to protect, defend and rebuild your marriage.
- Time together. Spend time together; you can’t build a marriage if you are not always together, bonding. Time meaningfully spent together will be a special gift to your marriage.
- Respect. Learn to respect and honour each other; help each other’s self-esteem by giving each other great regard no matter what happens.
- Selflessness. Be selfless in your thinking, attitude, and habit and in everything you do. Marriage is not just about you, it is about the both of you. Marriage is not I; it is we.
- Responsibility. Be totally responsible at home to do your duty as a man or woman. Be responsible, that is what it takes to maintain a marriage.
- Fidelity. Be faithful to your spouse, don’t cheat on each other, whether in the area of money or sex; be totally open so that you can build trust.
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