God is the centre of our marriage.
This is another post based on information from When Baby Makes Three, the 2011 State of Our Unions a report from the National Marriage Project.
The report has some encouraging things to say about the importance of faith, and more specifically of a shared faith with regards to marital happiness and not ending up divorced. For men and women, “both spouses having above average marital spirituality” was the third highest predictor of not being prone to separation or divorce. For men this was the fifth most important predictor of being very happy in their marriage. Additionally, both spouses attending religious services at least once a week was the fourth highest predictor of not being prone to separation of divorce for men.
Over all shared religious attendance results in an increase in the likelihood that married couples with children will say they are “very happy” their marriage – nine percentage points up for men and 14 for women. Additionally, such couples decrease the chance of separation or divorce – a 15 percentage point drop for men and nine for women . There are two key words there - attendance and shared. Identifying one’s self as religious does not have any effect, but actually attending regularly does. (This is standard of true religious expression that Christian researcher George Barna has found to be the most accurate). Secondly, the attendance much be shared – both husband and wife must go.
Even more substantial was the effect of both the husband and the wife agreeing that “God is the center of our marriage” with a massive 50% increase in both genders saying they were very happy in their marriage. What’s more, these couples have only a 1% proneness to divorce.
Bottom line: Faith can make a huge difference to both the happiness and longevity of a marriage, but that faith must be active and shared by both spouses.
Links to blog posts that stood out to me this last week:
In this series:
New blog this week – Mystery32. Another Twitter find. I’ve only read a few (and liked what I saw) and my bride says it’s great.
Adventure-Some
Don’t Be Afraid To Try Something New: Even “safe and simple” thing work!
Black and Married with Kids
How To Grow In The Same Direction : Very wise words!
When’s The Last Time You Told Your Spouse …: Check yourself on these!
Maintaining Marital Bliss, This Christmas: Good conversation starter with your bride.
Why Routine In Your Marriage Is Important: Great balance to the try something new post above!
Occupy Your Marriage: Why didn’t I think of this!
What Do You Do When Divorce Has Become an Option? 10 Steps To Save Your Marriage: Great article – read and apply if divorce is an option in your mind!
What Do You Do When Divorce Has Become an Option? 10 Steps To Save Your Marriage: TEXT
Couple Things Blog
What She Doesn’t Want from You: Part 2 and Part 3: As good as the first part!
Hot, Holy and Humorous
Hot, Holy and Humorous: 10 Intimate Things to Enjoy for Christmas : Guys will especially like the last half of the list.
Where Should I Look during Sex? : A good one to share with your lady!
Journey to Surrender
Journey to Surrender: Marriage is Not A Zero-Sum Game: It’s not, and if you think it is, you will have trouble.
Marriage Gems
Want a Happier Marriage? Be Generous.: Lori Lowe’s take on the report I’ve been dissecting the last few days.
Marriage Life
MT Project: My Spouse Needs Me to Believe the Best: A very nice balance here, well done!
Mystery 32
Have yourself a depressing little Christmas?: Christmas getting you down? Here are some suggestions.
Are You Assuming?: More thinking and waiting, less talking.
One Flesh Marriage
The Guy’s Gift Guide to Wow Your Wife : A great way to think about gifts for her.
The Romantic Vineyard
10 Questions To Diagnose Your Marital Health: Always good to check yourself!
So, Where’s Your Focus?: Tom has a great way to get closer to your bride.
Stupendous Marriage
Who are you Blaming?: Are you taking the easy way out?
A Penny For Your Thoughts – Conversation Starters for Couples: I’ve only had a chance to skim this, and it looks awesome. Saw a couple I don’t know the answers to for my bride! All of 99¢ each.
Stupendous Marriage Show 024: Assume Love, Marriage At All Time Low, Conversation Starters: Discussion of the new e-books (above) a study I’ve not gotten to, and a web site I will be linking to in the future.
Winning at Romance
Three Lies About Sex. Are You Believing Them?: A great guest post form Julie Sibert .
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
This definatly goes to the basics of relationships, and what the foundation is based on.
Every couple before they decide to get serious, should definally know where they are spiritually, and make a effert to attempt to gain God in their loves, and have Him as the foundation of the relationship.
If you and your spose dont have the same spiritual foundations, then the marrage is defiantly going to have some rocky roads.
However, if you are seeking Him in all you do, and belive we serve a God of grace, mercy, and above all else FORGIVENESS, there should be nothing that holds your marriage back.
I pray this has helped someone, and that this is understandable.