One of the biggest things that can ruin a marriage are expectations that are too high or too low. If you expect your spouse to be perfect, you can expect to be disappointed! If your expectations are too low, you’ll miss the beauty of what God has designed for you. Douglas Rosenau put together this list: ten things you can and should expect of your marriage, and that your partner should expect of you. Read and see if the scriptures don’t help your home!
- Each of us will become a partner and soul mate offering unconditional love, understanding, and support. We will be best friends. (Genesis 2:18, 1 Peter 3:7-8, Ephesians 5:28-31, Proverbs 17:17, 18:24)
- Neither of us will expect the other to meet all of our needs or take sole responsibility for our personal happiness. We will give each other space to breathe and have a life. (Philippians 2:12-13, Galatians 6:5-6)
- We will leave our fathers and mothers and create a new, independent, special family unit. (Ephesians 5:31)
- We will have one healthy fight or disagreement a week. Confrontation concerning our unmet personal needs will be believed and not dismissed. (2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:15, 2 Corinthians 7:8, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 12:13-15)
- We will take regular vacations and honeymoons throughout our marriage as we mend and enhance our intimacy. (Ecclesiastes 3, Deuteronomy 24:5)
- We will use credit carefully as we become wise stewards of our finances. (Rom 13:8, Matt 25:16, 21)
- My mate will be faithful and committed to me. (Exodus 20:14)
- Either of us will be able to initiate marriage counseling, and the other will be willing to go. Our marriage will be constantly growing with individual and relational changes and improvements. (Proverbs 15:14, 16:20, 27:9, Philippians 1:9-10)
- We will have regular, satisfying sexual interaction. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5)
- We will enjoy a growing spiritual life together with prayer and Bible study. (James 1:5, Colossians 3:16, 4:2)
May God bless your marriage as glorious in his sight!