By Veronica Tetterton, Ph.D.
Fireproof simply means to make something impervious or resistant to damage by fire. While we hope to avoid the experience of a fire in our homes, we are comforted by the knowledge that our homes have been fireproofed. For we know that the destructive consequences of a fire can mean the loss of possessions, or worse, loss of life.
The matter of our relationships is similar. When the fires of life rage against our marriages, we need preventative strategies in place to avoid damage and loss. But how can we make our marriages resistant to those fires?
With faith.
You must proof your marriage just as you would proof your home. This requires intentional effort to grow our faith in God both individually and collectively, so that our marriage rests on a solid foundation of faith.
So, let’s begin to fireproof your marriage with faith!
1. Come Together
First, both you and your spouse must come together with a common goal and allow God to partner with you in this journey to grow your faith.
When the fires try to burn down your marriage, you both have to be on the same page with God. No matter how dark and desolate the outcomes may look, hold on tight to your faith. Uphold Mark chapter 9, verse 23, which states, “All things are possible to those who believe.”
2. Reflection and Thanksgiving
Second, trace the hands of God in your lives and in your marriage to remember the blessing of God from your past. By simply remembering what God has done, we grow our faith.
The Lord told Joshua to take up 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan River when He cut off the waters, allowing their passage to the other side (Joshua 4:3).
God explained that the purpose of gathering the stones was so they could remember for generations to come what God had done for them. God wanted them to remember the mighty demonstration of His power and provision for His children. God desires us to remember also.
Tracing the hand of God in our lives allows us: to isolate the mighty miracles that God has blessed us with; to see the strongholds that God delivered us from; and to remember the opportunities that became available to us out of nowhere. When we share in discussions with our mate about these blessings, our faith is strengthened.
3. Prayer and Sacrifice
Do you want more faith? Some things we seek from God can only be gained by prayer and fasting. Mark chapter 9, verse 29 says, “This kind cannot come out but by prayer and fasting.”
Set aside time for you and your spouse to enter in a period of sacrifice and prayer together. There is an awakening in your spirit that happens when we abstain from a pleasure in the interest of getting closer to God.
While in your period of prayer and sacrifice, ask God to remove the spirit of disbelief, doubt and fear. Remind God that he promised that ALL things are possible if you believe. And ask God to help you with your unbelief.
These three steps for growing your faith are simple, and they will fireproof your marriage. Now understand, fireproofing doesn’t guarantee that the fires won’t come nor cause you some damage. But that fireproofing does make your marriage sturdier for the storm, and therefore, built to last.
Having a relationship that is rooted in a strong faith allows you to reclaim proper alignment with God, a channel through which you can enjoy unparalleled intimacy with God and your rightful blessings can flow to you unencumbered by unbelief.
Dr. Veronica Tetterton is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than a decade of experience in the mental health field. As a writer and public speaker, she effortlessly teaches people to overcome spiritual and personal strongholds, using psychological coping skills. She offers customized resources to assist people, who are crushed by the adversities of life, and help them further fight to reclaim their life, cultivate faith and pursue their destiny. Her website is drtetterton.com, where you can download her “The 14-Day Passport to New Destinations in Your Faith.”