8 Ways To Stay Friends With Your Spouse

One of the most beautiful things in marriage and life is to see couples who have been married for decades being in awesome friendship which they’ve forged over many years.

It is common to perhaps find this in our parents’ marriage or in other couples, especially how they can make one another laugh with just a word or a look, or the joy they get from just being in each other’s presence - It’s a joy to see and certainly a blessing to experience in a marriage.

But is sincere friendship in marriage easily attainable? Certainly not!

I am convinced most of these beautiful couples would say it’s taken a lot of work to get to where they are at today. But we can achieve true friendship with our spouse if we are committed to it. 

Here are eight ways to maintain and sustain friendship with your partner.

1.         Great Communication

Often, this just means making the time for conversation to happen —eating dinner together without distraction, for example.

Great communication doesn’t just happen. You have to be intentional about it.

2.         Great Listening

This follows from point one. We can’t have great communication if we’re not listening well. Asking questions and making a point to remember what we’re told can go a long way in our relationships.

3.         Loyalty

Stay on each other’s side, always. If someone is treating your partner poorly always be loyal to counsel them well and support them.

4.         Reliability

Knowing you can count on your spouse is so important. Being a man or woman of integrity and following through on your word isn’t just something your spouse should be able to count on, but it’s also a character trait you should strive for in all of your relationships.

5.         Memory Building

Make memories together! Plan special vacations, outings with the grandkids, and fun holidays. You can a lot of pictures and make albums out of them for the kids so the memories are captured forever. Value making special memories for each other.

6.         Shared Values and Faith

You won't agree on everything, but agreeing over the big things like faith and values will help you settle smaller problems when they arise.

7.         Support Each Other's Work or Career

Give grace when job commitments mean less time at home (within reason).

Encourage the gifts and talents of your spouse and urge them to make use of those gifts to the best of their ability. Offer helpful and encouraging feedback. Praise them for the good work they’re doing in their career. 

8.         Keep Short Accounts

This may be the most important! Extending grace and forgiveness can be hard, but remembering that God has forgiven your sins can help put into perspective the shortcomings of your spouse. 

(This should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: we’re not talking abuse here. If your spouse is abusive toward you, you need to seek help).  

Adapted from Kelly Givens iBelieve.com