In Episode 34 of The Loving Life at Home Podcast, we’re discussing the #1 Rule for building a happy marriage. Can you guess what it is? Listen in to find out!
Or scroll down. The material for this week’s show comes from a post I wrote over 10 years ago, which you can read in its entirety below today’s show notes. Enjoy!
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- Luke 6:31– “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
- Mark 12:31 – “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
- Philippians 2:3-4 – “…regard one another as more important than yourselves…”
- Matthew 12:36 – “…everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment ….”
- Romans 14:12 – “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
- Ephesians 4:2 – “… be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
- 1 Peter 2:17 – “Show proper respect to everyone….”
- Ephesians 5:33 – “… and the wife must respect her husband.”
- Ephesians 4:32 –“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other…”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In everything give thanks….”
- Proverbs 15:1– “A gentle answer turns away wrath…. “
- Philippians 2:3-4– “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit…”
- Song of Solomon 1:16 – How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how charming.”
RELATED LINKS:
- The #1 Rule for Building a Happy Marriage
- Enough with the Excuses
- 25 Ways to Communicate Respect
- Love Your Husband/ Love Yourself
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The #1 Rule for Building a Happy Marriage
You don’t have to dig very deep to discover the #1 rule for building a happy marriage. Jesus spelled out our standard in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Luke 6:31)
Confucius taught a similar principle: “Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.”
As did Buddha: “What is hateful to you, don’t do to others; what is delightful to you, do for others, too.”
And Muhammad: “Seek for mankind that of which you are desirous for yourself.”
In fact, every major religion promotes some version of The Golden Rule.
In marriage it boils down to this:
“Treat your spouse the way you wish to be treated.”
That’s it. The #1 rule for building a happy marriage. It doesn’t get simpler than that. To build a marriage that will go the distance, you just need to treat your spouse…
with patience
Would you like for your husband to be patient and understanding? Then extend an extra measure of patience and understanding towards him.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
with respect
Do you want him to honor you as a respected colleague? Then be faithful and deliberate in the way you communicate respect to him.
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17)
with mercy
Do you hope he’ll be quick to forgive and forget when you’ve done something to offend him? Then don’t harbor grudges against him. Give no place to bitterness or resentment in your heart.
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
with gratitude
Would you like for him to show appreciation for the many things you do to make his life more pleasant? Then always make a point to say thank you to him. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude, and don’t take your man for granted.
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
with sweetness
Do you prefer kind, encouraging words over angry tirades? Then remain positive and upbeat yourself and resist the urge to nag or quarrel.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
with consideration
Do you want him to prioritize things that are important to you? Then don’t make excuses to avoid what’s important to him.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
with admiration
Would you like for him to take notice of you and compliment your appearance? Then show him the same courtesy. Admire him and praise his manliness. Your husband wants to know that you still find him attractive.
“How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how charming! And our bed is verdant.” (Song of Solomon 1:16)
So that’s the key. Treat your spouse as you wish to be treated if you want a built-to-last, happily-ever-after sort of marriage.
The Golden Rule is a great principle to live by. How will you put it into practice, starting today?
The Word of God is full of wisdom for every facet of life, but we’ve found it especially helpful in building a happy, healthy marriage. For a fascinating look at how science has confirmed the superiority of God’s design, check out my bookLove Your Husband/Love Yourself.
