What does it mean to strengthen a marriage? Focus on the Family’s Greg Smalley joins Susie to walk through Psalm 40 and look at what happens when God gives a “new song” to a fraying relationship.
Greg shares his own journey after giving his marriage to God.
“I was so convinced that Erin was the problem. I was just very aware of what she was doing that I didn’t like. I was a dodger – I hated conflict. The more we did that, the less safe it felt. If there was a way I was frustrated with my wife, I would keep silent; I didn’t want to rock the boat.”
Greg went to a mentor, Gary Oliver, who told Greg he was asking the wrong questions. Rather than asking “How can I have a great marriage?” we need to ask “How can I be a great spouse?”
Once Greg started thinking that way, his relationship with Erin immediately started to turn around.
What causes a marriage to wear thin?
• Bitterness, stemming from unresolved conflict
• Lack of quality time together
• Unmet or unvoiced expectations
• Infidelity
• Dishonesty
How can we undo some of these patterns? Greg says, seek God first. Look at your own heart and deal with your own baggage, sin, resentment, expectations and desires. Once we’ve done that, we can approach our marriage with the right posture and heart attitude.
“I want my wife to feel that our relationship is the safest place on earth for her. I want to get rid of that combat.”
What can strengthen a marriage? How does God bring a new song to that relationship?
• Prayer
• Forgiveness
• Listening skills
• A commitment to working through conflict no matter what comes
Featured Songs: He Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli; King of My Heart by Love and the Outcome; Write Your Story by Francesca Battistelli
