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Welcome back, faithful sister!
If you’ve been reading and following this three-part series on marriage, I’m excited to welcome you to the final installment.
If you’re new to my blog and have been searching for a positive place to learn how to grow in your relationship with God and make Him the cornerstone of every facet of your life—welcome!
You’re in the right place.
Before we dive into this series’ last installment, take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been.
Your journey to a Christ-centered marriage isn’t just about what you learn—it’s about how you actively choose to build on these lessons and integrate the principles into your daily life.
How deeply are you weaving God’s Word into your daily actions? How often do you check in with God before you speak or act in your marriage?
A healthy, happy, and Godly marriage is built upon the intentionality we bring to integrating faith into both the small and big moments of our relationship.
Let’s Recap the Journey So Far…
🔹 Week One: We laid the foundation by examining two simple steps to nurture your marriage with God at the center.
We focused on the truth that God should not be an addition to your marriage—He must be the very core that binds and holds everything together.
If you missed that article, I encourage you to start there:
👉 Read Week 1: Two Simple Steps to Nurture Your Marriage with God at the Center
🔹 Week Two: We took it a step further and learned how to build a marriage that reflects God’s love through grace-filled, intentional communication and acts of service.
We explored the power of words, listening with compassion and an open heart, and expressing love through humility and servitude.
If you missed this second step in our journey, make sure to catch up here:
👉 Read Week 2: How to Build a Marriage that Reflects God’s Love
Now, Here We Are—Week Three
This week’s article is perhaps the most critical part of the journey because we will address how to protect and maintain a loving, safe environment for your marriage—no matter what challenges come your way.
⚠️ Challenges will come. Life will test you.
In moments of heavy stress and high emotions, it is all too easy for the enemy to find weak points—to infiltrate, spread dissent, plant seeds of doubt, fuel anger, and stir resentment.
This is why a marriage that is deeply rooted in God is not easily shaken. A Christ-centered foundation will safeguard your marriage and make it possible to weather the storms.
Together, we will explore
✅ How to face tribulations with faith and trust God’s plan—even when the road ahead is unclear.
✅ How to navigate spiritual differences when one spouse is further along in their walk with Christ than the other.
Because the truth is—no two people’s journeys are the same.
So, if you’re ready to continue strengthening your marriage, deepening your faith, and walking forward in confidence that God has a plan for your union, then let’s take this final step together.
Facing Challenges Together with Faith
📖 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Every marriage will face trials—there’s no escaping it. Some challenges will be small, while others will be much bigger.
These tests will stretch our patience, challenge our commitment to each other and to God’s teachings, and test our resolve to remain unwavering in our morals, values, and principles.
Although difficult, these moments hold the potential to draw us even nearer to God and each other—if we remain rooted in our faith.
Turn to Prayer During Hard Times
When things get hard, I urge you to pray.
📌 Before you vent to another person, pray.
📌 Before frustration consumes you, pray.
📌 Before fear paralyzes you, pray.
God is in the struggle with you.
If you are walking with Christ every day, He is right there beside you. Lean into Him, seek Him, cry out to Him. Unburden your heart onto Him.
There is no greater peace than the peace He can give you in the darkest of times. There is no greater comfort than the gentle hand of God on your life.
Surrender.
📌 If you are struggling financially, surrender your financial decisions to Him.
📌 If you are facing a troubling health diagnosis, surrender your health to Him.
📌 If you are struggling with addiction, lay it all at His feet and surrender.
Most importantly, pray over these troubles together as a couple, if you can. Anchor yourselves in Christ and let Him lift the burden off your heart.
I promise—you will not regret it.
Nothing can lift the heaviness of emotional and physical pain like God can, and we are blessed to have direct access to His power through deep and intentional prayer.
So reach for Him without hesitation, just as any child would reach for their parents in times of trouble.
He is listening.
You are not alone.
Trust in God’s Plan and Timing
📖 Romans 8:28 (NIV) – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
God works on His own time, not yours.
We are inclined to get impatient and anxious because we’re driven by worldly habits—wanting things on our time and at lightning speed.
But we are limited by our perception of what’s ahead. We see only what we believe to be the best path and timeline to follow. God operates at a whole different level.
We think and operate within the confines of limited time.
God operates within eternity.
He can see the past, present, and future—all at once.
He is the Alpha and Omega, the Author and Finisher of all that was, is, and ever will be.
We cannot even begin to comprehend the depth of that truth.
So whatever preconceived notion we have about when we’ll get a job promotion, grow our finances, start a family, or achieve our dream lifestyle—God is the only One who truly knows the path we are meant to walk.
Our job is not to control the outcome but to walk in faith.
Yes, we must work hard and apply ourselves in everything we do.
Yes, we must be good stewards of the finances He has blessed us with.
Yes, we must take care of our bodies, our health, and our nutrition to honor the life He has given us.
But at the end of the day, God will nudge and guide us toward the path He knows is best.
📌 Our job is to trust in His plan, listen to His voice, and follow Him.
Your marriage is a journey. Sometimes the road will be smooth, and sometimes it will be bumpy.
Stay rooted in Christ’s teachings, and know that God will reveal the true destination you are meant to reach.
Find Support in a Faith Community
📖 Matthew 5:19 (NIV)
“Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Do not underestimate the power of community.
Find and surround yourself with a strong, Christ-driven community that is rooted deeply in the unedited teachings of Christ.
My husband and I are blessed to have found a church that models itself after the first church and commits to living according to the apostles’ doctrine.
In this community, we have been encouraged to pursue our faith boldly and have found insurmountable support during some of the hardest, scariest moments of our journey as parents.
Now, what I’m about to say might be an unpopular opinion to some…
But God’s truth does not change—whether we personally like it, find it convenient, or not.
📖 Galatians 1:8-9 (NIV)
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”
📌 A strong, Christ-based community will always encourage you to deepen your relationship with God—not pull you away from it.
📌 A true faith community will call you to live by the Bible—not warp its teachings to align with what’s politically correct or socially acceptable.
The God of the Old Testament did not mince words.
And because I hold to the doctrinal belief that God is one—manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—I see further proof in the New Testament that He did not mince words then either.
📖 Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV)
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
Find yourself a church that does not mince words.
In the end, your eternal soul will thank you for it.
When One Spouse is Deeper in Their Spiritual Journey
It’s okay if one spouse is further along in their faith journey than the other.
Sometimes, it’s because you didn’t start this walk at the same time, as was the case for my husband and me.
Other times, it’s because you are each coming to terms with your past in different ways.
Either way, give each other grace and understanding—no two people grow spiritually in the same way or at the same pace.
Acknowledge the Challenge with Grace
Allow each other to walk this path at your own pace.
Instead of seeing your different spiritual journeys as a roadblock, see them as an opportunity to support each other with patience and love.
I can assure you—the situation could very well reverse in the future, as our walk with God changes pace throughout our lives.
One day, you may be the one in need of the same grace and understanding that you are now called to offer your spouse.
Lead by Example, Not Expectation
If you are further along in your faith journey, commit to being the embodiment of holy living.
📌 Words can easily fail. Telling your spouse how they “should” be can backfire, causing them to retreat or resist.
Instead, remember that your actions will speak far louder than words.
As you lead by example, your spouse will see that you are genuinely living a Christ-filled life. They will witness the authentic joy and peace that fills you—even in difficult times.
This will be palpably felt, and I assure you—they will want to experience it too.
In time, they will take small steps toward a more faith-filled life, and your role is to support and encourage them with grace and love.
We are not here to force our understanding upon them. Instead, pray for them daily.
🙏 Ask God:
✔ To speak to them and bless them with wisdom and vision.
✔ To cover them in His divine protection against negative influences.
✔ To guide their heart toward Him in His perfect timing.
Keep Communication Open and Respectful
Stay open and respectful. Your spouse may not see things the same way you do.
If they are newer to the journey—or still teetering between the world and God’s kingdom—much of their viewpoint will still be influenced by the world’s standards and political opinions.
As devout Christians, we are called to be deeply rooted in God’s laws, morals, and principles. This can be jarring and uncomfortable for someone who is new to faith.
Because of this, it is important to create a safe and open space for:
✔ Respectful conversations
✔ Honest questions
✔ Expressing doubts without fear of judgment
Being open does not mean we bend our doctrine to accommodate the world.
Rather, it means we are willing to listen and lovingly guide our spouse toward a clear pathway to a deeper connection with God, His truth, and their kingdom purpose.
Pray for Patience and Growth
📖 1 Peter 3:1-2 (NIV)
“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”
The Lord is working in both of your lives—even if your journeys look different right now.
🙏 Ask God for:
✔ Patience and understanding on your part.
✔ The wisdom to support your spouse’s spiritual growth with love and grace.
✔ The faith to trust His timing as He transforms your marriage through Him.
Remember, your role is not to push—it is to pray, support, and love your spouse into the arms of Christ.
Conclusion
Remember, marriage is meant to be a lifelong journey—to love and serve each other and God, growing together as spiritual partners.
It’s not about having it all figured out, but about choosing every day to seek God first in all that you do and say—both individually and together.
Love deeply.
Forgive readily.
Place your trust and faith in your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let this week’s 7-Day Challenge be just the beginning of your incredible lifelong happiness.
7-Day Christ-Centered Marriage Challenge
📅 Day 1: Pray Together
📖 Bible Verse: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
Action:
Spend time in prayer together today. Hold hands, bow your heads, and invite God into your marriage. If praying together is new to you, start small—thank God for each other and ask Him to guide your marriage.
Reflection Question:
How did it feel to pray together? What specific things can you continue to pray over as a couple?
📅 Day 2: Speak Words of Encouragement
📖 Bible Verse: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
Action:
Make a point to speak words of encouragement to your spouse today. Express appreciation, acknowledge their efforts, and build them up with loving and uplifting words.
Reflection Question:
How did your spouse respond to your encouragement? How does speaking life into your marriage impact your connection?
📅 Day 3: Serve Each Other with Love
📖 Bible Verse: “Serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
Action:
Find a small act of service to do for your spouse today. Whether it’s making their favorite meal, handling a task they normally do, or offering a shoulder rub after a long day—serve them with love and humility.
Reflection Question:
How did serving your spouse impact your connection today? How can acts of service become a natural part of your marriage?
📅 Day 4: Trust in God’s Timing
📖 Bible Verse: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Action:
Have an open conversation about any worries, plans, or desires you’ve been struggling to surrender to God. Pray together, asking Him to help you trust in His timing and lean on His wisdom rather than your own.
Reflection Question:
What is one thing in your marriage that you need to surrender to God’s timing? How can you support each other in trusting Him more?
📅 Day 5: Deepen Your Faith Conversation
📖 Bible Verse: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” – Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
Action:
Spend 10-15 minutes talking about your faith journeys. Share a lesson from Scripture, something you’re struggling with, or a moment when you’ve felt God move in your life.
Reflection Question:
How did sharing about your faith impact your understanding of each other? What is one thing you can do to grow spiritually together?
📅 Day 6: Forgive and Show Grace
📖 Bible Verse: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Action:
If there’s anything you’ve been holding onto—hurt, frustration, or resentment—release it today. Have an open and grace-filled conversation with your spouse, offering forgiveness where needed and committing to a fresh start.
Reflection Question:
What is one way you can practice more grace in your marriage? How does forgiveness free both of you?
📅 Day 7: Commit to Keeping God at the Center
📖 Bible Verse: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Action:
Write down one spiritual commitment you want to make as a couple—whether it’s praying together more often, reading Scripture, attending church regularly, or serving together. Set an intentional plan to follow through.
Reflection Question:
How has this challenge strengthened your marriage? What daily or weekly habits can you commit to in order to keep God at the center of your relationship?