It’s interesting to see how opposites attract and fit together as one. Marriage is a wonderful gift that we need to cherish by respecting and loving each other. We should be conscious to meet each other's needs and to look for ways to encourage our spouse.

The reason we let our light shine is to glorify God, and when we shine for that reason, we are the same both inside and outside of the home. As believers we need to be careful that we’re not different people outside our homes. When we have the Holy Spirit and the love of God in us, we’re able to put old things to death to grow more and more like Christ.

There are many temptations in marriage, to hold onto anger, to choose pride, to follow our own will instead of God’s truth… but when we resist the temptations and choose what is best according to God’s will, we’re on the right path.

We need to be prepared for Christs return. Whether He comes today or tarries for a hundred years, we need to be living as though He could return any moment. Not in a fearful way, but by putting our hope in Him.

As a couple, we have the ability to sharpen each other. We can do that by living as an example in our homes. A strong friendship opens a door to discussion. We have a platform for discussion when we are friends first.

We need to be generous people. Not from a place of worry or concern, but from a place of faith. We don’t give to get back, we give to bless God. We give to show His love to this world.

Words are powerful, and so we must be careful and conscious of what we say and when we say it. Are we saying enough? Are we encouraging each other in love? And so, let's practice things that make for peace in the household. 

It’s hard to put our pride aside when we’re angry and hurt. It takes incredible patience to grow together and to do it with grace. And so, if we want to live in unity and peace we must be willing to put in the effort. With God's help we can do it!

5-Minute Marriage is a daily podcast hosted by NYT best-selling author, Darlene Schacht, and her husband Michael of Time-Warp Wife Ministries. Sharing snippets from the Word, they encourage couples to grow in their faith and inspire them to build stronger relationships.

This verse speaks volumes to what we’re going through today, both in our home and in this world. “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Our focus needs to be on the soul, for when we are strengthened from within we can withstand the climate without.