Is your marriage thriving or just surviving?
Our marriages can easily become stale amid life's chaos. Is it regular enough, though? The foundation for a more in-depth examination of what it means for a marriage to flourish rather than survive is laid out in Ephesians 5:25, which reminds us, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
Nurturing intimacy in marriage
Being in a successful marriage involves more than just following the rules. It is about sharing your innermost feelings and thoughts with your partner, developing a strong bond, and growing as a couple. Conversely, surviving entails barely scraping by, experiencing a sense of alienation, and perhaps even questioning whether there's more to life.
Moreover, developing a deeper connection with our spouse is the key to intimacy; it goes beyond simply saying things. It is in the tender squeeze of a hand, the giggles you share over a joke that only you two get, and the observant look that conveys so much without uttering a word.
Read more: 7 inspiring marriage lessons and advices
The secret to a thriving marriage
The key to a thriving marriage is communication. Spend time listening intently to your partner and being honest with them about your feelings. Talk, but communicate naturally.
Next, give each other some time. Make spending quality time together a priority, whether it's a weekly date night or a few minutes of unbroken daily conversation.
Moreover, express your gratitude and affection. Little things like preparing your spouse's favorite meal or leaving a love note on the bathroom mirror can go a long way toward demonstrating your concern.
Lastly, keep growing. As an individual and couple, we resolve to keep learning and developing. Take on new challenges together and help one another grow into your greatest selves.
Maintaining closeness in your marriage involves more than merely following the rules. It involves consistently working to build a stronger bond with your partner. You can elevate your marriage to new levels of love and fulfillment by realizing the difference between just getting by and genuinely thriving and by putting some helpful advice for fostering intimacy into practice. Thus, consider this: Is your marriage growing or just getting by? If the latter, what actions can you take right now to make that happen?