Maintaining Love and Respect Can Create A Happy Marriage

In order to understand what a happy and successful marriage is based on true love and respect, we must look to the Creator of us all. Almighty God Jehovah has the correct answers for the definition of true love because he knows us better than we know ourselves. We should therefore look to his words to define what true love is which makes a marriage happy and successful. It is described by the apostle Paul at 1 Corinthians 13:4- 8 this way, "Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." With this awesome explanation, let's look at these terms separately in order to discover, how we can maintain a happy and successful marriage if they apply the definition of true love? First of all, marriage is a relationship that consist of two individuals who are learning to love. They can apply long suffering and kindness toward each other by patiently taking each other's weaknesses into consideration. When those weaknesses are known, show kindness and patience toward each other as you both have to deal with these imperfections. Conflict will arise but how will we lovingly respond.

Another issue that can cause problems in a marriage is jealousy. Whether it is another person or thing that may cause jealousy to arise between a husband and wife is insignificant and should be discussed and resolved immediately. Jealousy can and will destroy a marriage that is why it should not exist within the hearts of a couple. Never would an individual within a marriage brag or get puffed up over some accomplishment that causes their mate to feel degrated or discouraged. Expressions of pride over how great your husband may be in maintaining his role as head of the household or pride concerning what a great mother your wife may be, are positive aspects that can create happiness within a marriage. Never would we want to behave indecently by saying mean or hateful things to our mate especially in public. If we do, we should genuinely apologize and ask for their forgiveness.

Marriage truly is about the union of two people who will share the ups and downs in life. It provides companionship and intimacy which can bring another source of success and true happiness. Learning to love yourself is also the greatest love that we can do for overselves. Then we will not go into marriages looking for the other individual to love us so intensely which can cause problems. Remember, learning to love somebody does not make them love you. That is why words like selfishness, has no place in a marriage. When facets of self interest are continued, the marital relationship will suffer. Being provoked over every little thing can also choke the joy out of a marriage. Havng an attitude about things that you refuse to discuss with your mate can also cause a husband or wife to keep account of injury. Using words like, "you remember when you did or said," can stir up old hurtful feelings that should have been forgiven and forgotten. We are all imperfect and make mistakes at certain times. When we make mistakes, do we want our mate to constantly remind us of them over and over again? Absolutely, not.

Marriage is a "divine institution" created by Jehovah God. Because it is divine we would never want to rejoice over unrighteous acts demonstrated by our mate. If we see that our husband or wife is involved in something that is illegal or detrimental, we want to talk to them immediately in private in an attempt to help them resolve the wrong act. We also want to pray for and with your mate to Almighty God for help with the situation. This is a part of the rejoicing we do together as husband and wife for truth which always makes a marriage strong and more successful.

"Love never fails." It is the ultimate source and foundation of a good, happy and successful marriage. When love is applied properly in a marriage, "It bears all things," such as struggles through the good and bad times which all marriages will have. With trust, love and respect, a husband and wife, "believes all things," in the sense that they trust each other and they allow nothing to come between them. Having the ability to "endure all things," in marriage is vital. Such things as illness and financial difficulties can bring division within a marriage. That is why the ability to endure tribulations is so important. This can be accomplished by true reliance on our Heavenly Father Jehovah for direction, since he is our Creator. There is nothing that he can't do to help a married couple in times of distress. We must learn to call on God for direction. When we do this we find the source of true love which helps us apply that love in our marriage. Learning to love more will help us to love our mates in a proper manner. This will cause us to be happy and successful based on the true love we share with Jehovah God and our husband or wife.