To do what you love, you must first understand what you love. – Joyce Meyer
Marriage brings a new set of responsibilities compared to when you were single or dating.
When he was a young man, his biggest concerns were paying rent, feeding himself, and saving up for a coffee date with his fiancée. She, on the other hand, just needed to dress well, have her hair done, and use a good makeup kit. Then comes marriage.
Now, there are two plates to feed every day, a larger house to maintain for the comfort of his new wife, and greater savings needed to secure the family’s future. The lady needs to either reduce the cost of her hair, makeup, and clothes or find a better-paying job to maintain her lifestyle and help her husband save for the future. Along the way, children arrive, a car becomes necessary, school fees increase the budget, the mortgage must be paid, and the responsibility of caring for aging parents kicks in. Unwittingly, the couple ends up consumed with raising more money.
Date nights slowly fade away. Lazy afternoons and weekends become a distant memory. Swimming lessons become too expensive. Intimacy feels like a burden, movie nights are no longer exciting, board games gather dust, and the couple struggles to get along. The things that once kept them close are now rare, and the pressure is real.
Are you there now? Or are you heading that way? Don’t despair—there’s a way out.
- Acknowledge the challenge, and together with your spouse, take proactive steps to break free from the rut.
- Seek God’s guidance through prayer and reading scripture together. Cast your worries upon Him—He cares for you.
- Make a conscious decision to serve others. Help someone in need, visit an old friend, pray for someone, or forgive someone who hurt you.
- Serve your spouse. Cook their favorite meal, give them a massage, take their clothes to the laundry, help with the baby, do the dishes together, iron their work clothes, or take them out for a nice dinner.
- Reflect on the activities you once enjoyed together and create time for them. Also, find what you love to do as an individual and make time for that too.
- Organize your finances. Evaluate your spending habits, reduce unnecessary expenses, and focus on paying off debt.
- Exercise. While I’m not a fitness expert, I can personally vouch for the positive impact exercise has had on my spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being.
May the Lord who brought you together guide, sustain, and give you the wisdom to enjoy His abundance in your marriage.