Ways to Reflect God’s Love in Your Marriage

“For better or for worse… In sickness and in health…” Giddy grooms and beautiful brides promise each other that no matter what happens, their love will last with their vows. God also vows to love us unconditionally. Since He loves us no matter what, can we, too, love our spouses without condition?

Let’s explore seven ways to mirror God’s unconditional love within our marriages, strengthening our bond and faith together.

Don’t Just Say Grace, Mean It

Grace is more than a prayer before meals; it is a lifestyle. God is so very gracious with us. Not only did He give us His only Son so that we might have eternal life, but He also gave us daily grace (or, if you are like me, minute-to-minute grace!).

How can we implement grace into our marriages? By realizing that you and your spouse are both humans. As a wife, when my husband missteps, I should be quick to remember what the Bible says: “We all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2, NIV).

So next time your spouse misses the mark, offer grace because, like you, they need it.

Listen Up (and Across)

People can tell if you are listening to them. If your spouse knows you better than anyone else, then they especially will be able to discern if you are actively hearing them.

We can show love by physically looking at them and closing the screens when they speak. This is not said with condemnation but with encouragement, as it is a personal struggle that God is helping me with, too!

A practical way to practice listening is by asking questions! Jesus is a prime example of this. He asked so many questions and continually listened to the responder’s heart.

Become the VIP: Very Important Pray-er

You play a very important part in your marriage as an intercessor! Start interceding! Jesus prayed and prayed on our behalf to the Father—so should we.

Recently, I have started my days praying for my husband. Your prayers are the passing ball so our spouses can get the goal. Our Heavenly Coach allows us to assist in our teammates’ lives through prayer.

Some of my prayer requests include:

• Praying that my husband would be in the Lord’s will.
• That he would be used for the Lord’s glory.
• That he would be protected.
• He would be delivered from any temptation. (I use the Lord’s prayer as a model for what we ought to pray for).
• I pray that I will be a helpmate and a gracious, uplifting wife.

Say Thank You

When I was young, I always told my parents “Thank you” for the meals we ate. I had the blessing of always being fed as a child, so I did not necessarily need to thank them as meals were given. But the act showed my gratitude.

We live on one income mostly. So even today, I say, “Thank you for dinner” if we go out to eat.

My husband is an act of service guy; I’m a words girl. So, I tell him thanks after all the chores and little things he does for us.

Maybe he doesn’t really need the thanks, but I want him to know that I am thankful.

Jesus appreciates gratitude as well.

“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then He said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:15-19), NIV).

Remember Often

As I was cleaning out my closet the other day, I came across a hat box full of memories. Pictures and ticket stubs from when my husband and I were first dating. We save everything in that puppy love stage, right?

What if we kept that sentiment going?

I want to encourage you to get out of the old albums and remember how it all started. This will do so much for your relationship! Doing this act of remembrance was adrenaline to our now 20-plus-year marriage.

In fact, in many of the Old Testament accounts, God emphasizes the importance of remembering what He has done. We should remember not only why we are together but also all that the Lord has done.

Reading Scripture together can be a great way to facilitate the memory of God’s works in your marriage.

Spread the Word

On that note, the Word is our marriage manual. Reading it together and separately to stay connected, not only to each other but also to God, is paramount.

A personal hindrance I have found is that I try to manufacture the perfect time to read together, or I aim for the best time to read the Bible on my own and fail. There is no perfect time. There will always be interruptions.

The most important thing is prioritizing scripture, not necessarily space or time. Just start reading! (The gospels are always a great place to start!)

Sacrifice

Like it or not, Jesus was very specific about our place in this world. Last.

“So the last shall be first, and the first, last” (Matthew 20:16, NIV).

If we could just cease striving to be first in everything and come to any relationship comfortable in the last place, we would be ready for service.

Marriage is the perfect place to serve. Do you want to serve the Lord more? Have you tried serving in your marriage? It is the best place to start surrendering to the Lord by sacrificing your wants and offering your service.

Speaking to myself here, maybe I should lay down what I want in life—from the smallest to the largest—at Jesus’ capable feet. Once I have laid that burden down through prayer and submission, then I can “take the towel,” as our church says.

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had handed all things over to Him and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper and laid His outer garments aside; and He took a towel and tied it around Himself. Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which He had tied around Himself. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, You are washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not realize right now, but you will understand later”(John 13:3-7, NIV).

Jesus sacrificed all for us. This is the model of love we must have if we are to show unconditional love to the love of our lives.