Five Strategies to Improve Your Marriage

Many people feel entrapped in an unhappy or problematic marriage. Due to their partner's refusal to participate in counseling or a marriage enrichment course, they feel unable to 'fix' it.

However, there are many steps a husband or wife may take on their own that can make a significant difference. Here are five easy steps you may take to improve your marriage.

Daily Gratitude

The proverb "count your blessings" is a wise saying. A discipline with significant rewards is cultivating an attitude of thankfulness and appreciation. When we consciously thank our partner, it boosts his or her sense of value and conveys our respect and love for them. Even after a long day of disagreement, we can always identify at least one positive aspect.

Additionally, it alters our viewpoint. By concentrating on our spouse's positive traits, we can divert our attention from their flaws and toward their talents. That will enliven us and push us in the direction of a more upbeat viewpoint.

I apologize.

It's simple to speak harshly, respond quickly, criticize harshly, and nag needlessly. We all do it, and we are generally aware of when we do. Even while these little jabs in our regular dialogue may appear insignificant, they add up to cause our partner significant harm and erode our confidence.

"I'm sorry" is such a simple phrase. I ought not to have said that. Yes, it requires humility, but the more we practice it, the simpler it gets.

If you make it a habit to apologize right away, you can avoid bringing brittle, unresolved baggage with you.

Inform me of it.

One of the most affirming and loving acts we can do for our spouse is the simple act of listening without judgment. All too frequently, individuals listen on the defensive, prepared to fight or rebut, get their point across or return to their own interests. While truly thinking about our next move or how to end the discussion, we pretend to be listening.

Decide to offer your partner all of your attention. By showing that you are paying attention with your body language, you may create a welcoming setting for the dialogue. By paraphrasing what you heard and posing the question, "Is there anything more you'd like to say about yourself?" you might promote additional self-expression and introspection. Therefore, 'time out' and allow yourself some room to calm down. Our bodies need around 30 minutes to physiologically recuperate, so we use this time to self-soothe. Deep breathing, going for a walk, saying a prayer, taking a drive, getting a cup of tea—whatever helps you unwind and rediscover the inherent kindness in others—can all be effective methods.

Pray for your partner.

According to research, a brief daily prayer for our spouse significantly boosts the pray-er's optimism and marital contentment. Moreover, those who regularly prayed outperformed others who did nothing or who only took a moment to think positively. The positive effects were also evident in a higher capacity for forgiving, decreased alcohol use, and a decline in domestic violence, emphasizing the power of prayer in fostering a harmonious and loving marital relationship.

Prayer for my Spouse

I am immensely grateful to the Lord for blessing me with the precious gift of my beloved husband/wife. I humbly seek forgiveness for the moments when I might have failed to express the depth of love and appreciation they truly deserve. I earnestly pray for the strength and guidance to become a better spouse, to cherish and love him/her wholeheartedly, and to nurture our marriage with tenderness and understanding. May our bond grow stronger each day, and may our love be a beacon of light, guiding us through life's joys and challenges together.