Have you read up on your marriage manual lately?

You may be thinking, “Wait…I never received an owner’s manual when I got married!”

God knew exactly the circumstances, trials, and joys you would experience as a married couple. The answers you are looking for can be found in the God-breathed pages of His Word.

There you will find that the foundation of a marriage must be love, respect, gentleness and patience from each spouse toward the other. Ephesians 5:33 tells us, “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Earlier in the same chapter of Ephesians 4:2-3, we are instructed in how to live together in love: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us that as a married couple is a team. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Each of the strands represents the husband, wife, and God. As you draw nearer to God, you will draw nearer to each other.

To reach couples looking for help to mend a broken marriage and for those just looking to strengthen an already healthy marriage, Lutheran Family Service has developed a web site dedicated to providing this help. HelpingMarriagesWork.com provides resources that couples can use immediately, as well as connections to marriage counselors if or when they are needed.

Couples who have worked with Lutheran Family Service counselors and whose marriages have been restored provide reviews, encouraging other couples not to give up during rough times.

• Luke & Allie share that marriage counseling worked for them and now, “The best part of my day, is coming home. He’s my best friend again. We continue to improve in every way.”
• Joy & Shane, whose story is told in their own words through a video link on the Helping Marriage Work web site say, “I feel more positive now than I ever have because of the tools and techniques I’ve learned. I feel very encouraged.”
• And from Steve & Jill, “We have a stronger relationship as a couple and are better friends. We also understand ourselves as individuals better.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with a marriage that is not working, use this web site, HelpingMarriagesWork.com, as a resource. It’s anonymous and help you can use right away is there for you. If additional help is needed, Lutheran Family Service marriage counselors are also available.

FOR MEN ONLY…What do a blow torch, a winch, a screwdriver and a metal detector have to do with your marriage? They’re all TOOLS you can use to create a great relationship with your wife. Find out how! Written just for men, these “tools” are available at http://www.helpingmarriageswork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Tools-You-Can-Use.pdf