10-Day Marriage SeriesSample

Day 1: How To "Divorce Proof" Your Marriage

"Are you married? Do not seek a divorce." (1 Corinthians 7:27)

According to nearly every relevant statistic, the institution of marriage is in serious trouble. The Council on Families in America reports that half of first marriages are likely to end in divorce. The National Center for Health Statistics tells us that the number of Americans choosing to marry is declining. And Brent Barlow, professor of family sciences at Brigham Young University, says that if cohabitation and divorce trends continue, "married" could become a minority status within ten years. Obviously, millions of couples who were once deeply in love and believed they were wonderfully suited for each other are seeing their marriages fall apart.

If you and your spouse are going to beat the odds, you will need to bring dedication and hard work to your relationship. If this challenge seems more like a threat than a promise, we have good news.

First, couples who are willing to invest in their relationship will find one of the greatest joys and blessings that life has to offer. That is the promise of a godly marriage. Statistics bear this fact out, too!

Secondly, you need not try to beat the odds alone. In fact, you were never meant to do that. More on that tomorrow . . .

Questions for Today . . .

• What, specifically, does having a "happy marriage" mean to you?
• Are you content in your relationship? Why or why not?
• What can you do to bring more happiness to your spouse?

Prayer . . .

Heavenly Father, you designed the covenant of marriage from the beginning, and my marriage belongs to You. Bless our union with Your best and draw us closer to You and to each other. Amen.

(Excerpted from Dr. James and Shirley Dobson’s book, Night Light for Couples. Used with permission.)

Related Resource . . .

In a healthy marriage, it's normal for couples to say, "I love you" on a regular basis. As important as these words are, Brenen and Morgan Beeler reveal in this short video another way to express how you feel that can have an even greater impact on your relationship.