11 Essentials for a Strong and Loving Marriage
Discover Building Blocks that Strengthen a Marriage
Strengthen Your Marriage: 11 Tips for an Unbreakable Bond
Hi, I'm Angie, the founder of My Sun & Shade, an inspirational website to uplift and bless the hearts of women, children, marriages, and families. I am passionate about helping married couples cultivate love and respect in their marriage. That's one of the reasons why My Sun & Shade was started in 2019. Read the story behind My Sun & Shade here.
Below is a list of 11 amazing, time-tested tips that will strengthen your marriage, brighten your home, and make your heart sing.
My husband, Aaron and I, have been married for 30 years and have raised two amazing children. Explore pictures of our family HERE: About the Founder
We have worked side by side in the ministry for over 25+ years. Can you believe that?! And we have been through ups and downs in our relationship like you wouldn't believe --I bet you can believe that!
​​
​
Both of us aren't perfect but we accept our weaknesses and strengths as complimentary to one another.
​
What has kept us together for 30 years? The common denominator in our marriage equation is the Lord. Both of us have a strong belief in maintaining a relationship with the Lord, and we realize how much we need His help and guidance.
Because of the strong respect we have for the Lord, our motivation in marriage is to please our Him, and we know that He is pleased when we show love and forgiveness to our spouse.
Another reason why we have a strong marriage, is that we had the opportunity to grow up in a loving church for 30 years that emphasized marriage and family values. Through this teaching we received at this church and the Lord's guidance from His Holy Word, we have been able to enjoy a successful marriage.
​
I share our love story in my personal memoir, Sunshine in My Heart: My Journey of Faith, Love, and New Beginnings. Read more about the book and what inspired me to write the book, here.​
​​
​
My Sun & Shade's mission is to share insights and advice for wives, and husbands too, who are desperately seeking help and support for their failing marriage.
​
Practice the Essentials for a Strong and Loving Marriage listed below, and your marriage will experience blessings immediately. I promise, and God's Word promises!
​
Embrace this opportunity of renewing love and respect in your marriage.
​
"Be still and know that I am God."
​
Read through these principles for a lasting marriage with an open heart, and start heading toward a brighter future with your spouse.
​
"With God nothing is impossible!"
Start building an unbreakable bond of love today!
​
​
The Building Blocks of a Marriage Relationship
1. Respect Each Other Even When You Disagree.
This is an important tip to apply to a marriage relationship. Every person deserves the right to be themselves. All of us have different tastes, styles, and preferences and these should not be mocked or belittled - but celebrated in marriage. God has brought two unique people together to create a new family unit. Therefore, respecting the differences between you and your spouse is the first key to having a great marriage.
​
More than anything, husbands are looking for respect, and wives are looking for love and affection. In Ephesians 5:33, Paul wisely writes, “let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
​
​
2. Show Each Other Kindness and Appreciation.
When a spouse appreciates the efforts put into the marriage, it is an amazing feeling! It motivates the other spouse to do more and more! This creates an ecosystem that thrives on love and kindness!
When there is a cycle of giving and receiving, you have the building blocks for a beautiful marriage. Practice showing appreciation today! If you don't know where to start, just try saying, "thank you," the next time your spouse does anything to benefit the marriage.
​
​
3. Forgive Each Other, Just as the Lord Forgives You.
This tip carries a lot of weight because holding onto forgiveness literally weighs you down and keeps you from being forgiven by the Lord. This weight is compounded day after day if forgiveness is not exercised within the marriage relationship.
None of us are perfect. All of us see things differently, and misunderstandings happen to the best of us.
Embrace marriage for what it is: the joining of two completely different personalities, and honor the different perspectives each spouse brings to the relationship.
Holding onto grudges only hurts a marriage. Learn to let things go. On the other hand, some grievances are very hard to overcome, and this is understandable. But, when a spouse trusts in God, the heart has hope that He will turn all things wrong to right.​
​
​
4. Really Listen to Each Other.
It really, really hurts when a spouse does not take time to listen to stories, cares, and concerns. I totally understand!
If this is your case, make it a matter of prayer, but also, be counter active, making sure you are being a good listener too. On top of that, express to your spouse that you feel loved and cared for when the things you share are received. This will appeal to their sense of worth as a person and may even open opportunities for you to share more things on your heart.
Be mindful of how much your spouse can handle and approach sensitive topics delicately. I have found that if I give my husband a warning that I need to speak to him about something later, it helps him prepare for the conversation. That may sound funny, but it has worked for us over the years.
​
​
5. Show Your Spouse How Much You Care for Them.
​
Show your spouse loving affection by doing little actions that mean the most. For instance, I know that my husband LOVES desserts, and I will go out of my way to make sure he has the tastiest cheesecake to enjoy after a difficult day.
Little sacrifices of time and energy really pay off in a marriage. Brainstorm ideas that will bless your spouse today and put them into action. Keep doing this and you will see the cycle of giving and receiving flow in the marriage relationship and this always leads to blessings.
​
​​
​
6. Make Time for Each Other.
Treasure your spouse and make them feel special. They are your better half, and they compliment your weaknesses and strengths. Bless your spouse with time, and give them your full attention.
​
When a spouse needs to talk things through, put projects aside and focus on what they are saying. This shows them your love like nothing else can.
​
Time is our most precious commodity, and when we give our spouse the time they need to express their needs, stories, or fears, you are giving them the gift of your time.
​
​​​
7. Show Each Other Affection.
A soft touch melts hearts, just like a soft answer turns away wrath. Reach out and hug your spouse. Let them know you care about them. Often times, a show of affection resolves conflict quicker than silent treatment or arguments.
​
​
8. The Blessing of Meals.
This is a biggie in our world. If there is no food for dinner, there is mayhem in the house. More often than not, this responsibility for food falls on the wife's shoulders, much like the lawn care falls on the husband's. I hate to be stereotypical here, but it's true.
​
She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. (Proverbs 31:15 ESV)
Naturally, all of us are hungry several times a day, because that is the way God created us, and I know for a fact, that a thoughtful warm meal can bring peace to a household faster than anything else.
​
Do not neglect this sacrifice of love. Dedicate some time to meal planning and watch your spouse never miss a meal!
​
​
9. Husbands Love Your Wives. Wives Respect Your Husbands.
The world is flippant with Scripture today because there are so many voices, but this concept of a husband loving his wife, and a wife respecting her husband is Scriptural and should not be dismissed.
​
Husbands need honor and respect. That is the way they are emotionally driven. ( Read Ephesians 5:22-33)
​
Wives crave love and affection. That is they way they are emotionally driven. (Read Ephesians 5:33)
​
If either one is lacking there is bitterness, infidelity, and discontentment.
​
When God's Word is honored, there is blessing.
​
​​​
10. Pray for Your Each Other.
No matter how busy you are, always make time to pray for your spouse and for your marriage. This makes all the difference in the world. Not only will you gain perspective and understanding of your relationship when you pray, but you will bless each other in the spirit as well. Do not overlook this spiritual power, and always make time to pray!
​​
​
​
11. Put God at the Center of Your Marriage.
​
When a marriage is centered around God there is no regret, no remorse, and no more hurt, because God is involved with every aspect of the relationship.
Love has center stage and hurtful, hateful actions have been displaced. The key in this equation is to remain steadfast in your relationship with the Lord. This needs to be done individually, and together as a couple.
Focus your time, energies, and concern around pleasing the Creator of marriage, Who designed this beautiful union between a man and a women. His intention for marriage is to be a symbol of His love for the church and those who break this mold through divorce taint this heavenly concept.
A married couple can find true fulfillment and satisfaction in the marriage when God is at the center. This leads to blessing upon blessing, for God ways are right. He alone is the source of our life, and all good things come from our Father in heaven.
Invite Him to be apart of your marriage today, and experience the joy, satisfaction, and the life-giving grace He gives to those who call upon His name.
​
If you haven't accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I invite you to do so now. Read about salvation HERE: New Life in Christ
​
​
Prayers For Marriages
​
Thoughts on Love
​
Prayer Guide for Wives
​​
​​​​
​
Biblical Principles for a Strong Marriage
God's Beautiful Plan for Women
In Proverbs 31, the husband and children of a home praise and value the wife and mother, acknowledging her worth to be more precious than expensive gems. The Bible emphasizes the importance of a woman's role in her home, as she is called to be a nurturer, caregiver, helpmeet to her husband, and homemaker.
​
It is essential to recognize that this ministry is not insignificant or unworthy but should be given the highest priority in a woman's life. God has called all women to a holy vocation of love and good works towards their family and home.
​
For those who embrace this esteemed position, unspeakable joy awaits! As you read through these 11 Essentials for a Happy and Healthy Marriage, may you be inspired to fulfill this "God-given calling" for women and begin tending to this holy vocation today.​
​
​
The Art of Keeping a Home
Guard your heart and mind by considering these 11 Tips for a Strong Marriage with prayer and apply them to your relationship today. Test them out and see which tips and practices work for you! Incorporate practical faith into your heart and allow God's love to shine through in your home. Explore God's Light for Women HERE: 15 Ways to Shine
​
"Who can find a virtuous woman?" (Proverbs 31:10-12) The heart of her husband trusts in her and she does good and not evil all the days of her life.
Ask the Lord to help you avoid negative behavior that can drive away love from your home. Instead, focus on doing what is good for your husband and thereby strengthening your marriage relationship.
​
Above all, strive to live in harmony with your husband so that your prayers are not hindered, then your marriage can experience God's favor and blessing.
​​​
Inspirational Reading: ​The Calling of a Homemaker​
​
​​
​
​