Are you active in your marriage, or is it just a relationship status? Are you engaged with your spouse, or did that all go out the window with “I do”? Are you listening to your wife or do you just hear her? Are you talking to your husband or talking at him? Wake up, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time to occupy your marriage. Regardless of what you may think of the Occupy protests going on not only across the country but around the globe, we can learn about what it takes to truly fight for your marriage.
Demands of Occupy Your Marriage
Divorce is a last resort! Too many couples are so quick to throw out the D word when things don’t go their way. If you’re going to be with someone for the rest of your lives, there are going to be moments where you both don’t see eye to eye. Mistakes will be made, and you’ll go through some hard times. Divorce should never be the first option””it should always be the last. Vow to try to fix problems together, and if need be, seek help from a counselor, your pastor, or marriage support group.
Teamwork makes the dream work! Relationships should never be any other percentage but 100/100. Both parties should be giving their all, putting their heart and soul into the relationship. Working together is the only way your marriage will succeed. If someone’s slacking off, let them know. Don’t make decisions by yourself. Work together for little things such as keeping the house cleaned and the bills paid, to bigger things like raising your children and handling hardships. This is not only your mate; this is your partner.
Learn to compromise! This may seem like we’re beating a dead horse, but you’d be surprised how many couples are still so stubborn and set in their ways. Stop being a brat, stop pushing your beliefs, and come to an agreement, a compromise, that you can both live with. You may feel strongly about something, and your spouse might feel strongly about something. Find a middle ground, and work it out. I’m not saying give in and I’m not saying run a guilt trip. Compromise will get you through.
Communicate in more ways than one! Communication is one key to a successful marriage. It’s not just verbal. Think about how you communicate to your spouse using body language too. Are you giving them the cold shoulder? Are you using all 5 of your senses? Are you loving your spouse in their love language? Your communication will always need to be on point.
Keep no record of wrongs! How long have you been holding on to that grudge? Let it go! The Bible says love keeps no record of wrongs, so if you told your spouse you forgive them, you should not continue to bring up whatever wrong they did in a future argument. Reaching back for something old that happened is not okay. If you’re truly not over it, say that, and work through it together. But if you forgive them and say you’re over it, be about it, and leave it in the past. Keeping a record of wrongs will lead to resenting your spouse.
Are you ready to occupy your marriage? Do you have additional demands?