Pro.14 v 1: “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”

Praise God forevermore as I do hope you have been blessed by this series of lessons on “Building Stronger Marriages.” My heart’s desire is to see stronger and better families. This is also God’s purpose and desire for you. I pray that your marriage will experience a total turnaround in Jesus name, amen. Today by His grace, I will be sharing the twelfth essential material that will help you build a solid marriage. Here we go!

Materials for building stronger marriages:

12. Be generous with your appreciation. If your marriage will be stronger, you need to show appreciation to each other often. The problem that we have is that we are economical with our appreciation and affirmation of our spouses. We must never become too familiar with each other that we ignore this all-important exercise in our marriage. You should learn to appreciate your spouse’s efforts, contributions, sacrifices, gifts/abilities, and impact as a matter of urgency and importance. What you think is common is not cheap and whatever you appreciate will never die (Pro.31v28-29). When was the last time you appreciated your spouse? How often do you celebrate your spouse? It’s time for you to take seriously the issue of celebrating your spouse!

How do you appreciate your spouse? In what ways can you render appreciation? You can do such by considering the following:

  • Appreciate your spouse for the things they do i.e. for cooking, providing, protecting etc.
  • Appreciate your spouse for who they are i.e. for their personality, character etc.
  • Appreciate your spouse for what they are i.e. their gifts, talents, skills, abilities, experience, exposure, wisdom etc.
  • Never miss an opportunity to pass a good compliment on or to them.
  • Acknowledge their efforts/inputs publicly.
  • Thank God on their behalf regularly (Eph.1v15-16).
  • Pull a surprise for them from time to time i.e. gifts, outings, vacations etc.

My dear reader, do you have any other ideas as to how to appreciate your spouse or loved ones? There are a thousand and one ways of showering your spouse with appreciation but it’s important to just start with what you know and where you are today! Will you start today? I’ll see you at the top in Jesus name, amen.

Other Scriptural References: (Pro .27 v 17: 12 v 25; Heb. 3 v 13; Rom. 12 v 10; 1 Pet. 4 v 8; 1 Thess. 4 v 18).

Prayer for Today: Precious Holy Spirit, help me to imbibe these teachings on building stronger marriages in Jesus name, amen. Help me not to be a failure in my marital life!

CONFESSION: I believe in the covenant of marriage. I will experience marital bliss and harmony in the name of Jesus. Through the wisdom of God and His Spirit, I will apply myself to the teachings I have received on this subject matter. I am a doer and not just a hearer. As I apply these truths, my life and marriage will improve in Jesus name, amen. I am ready to make the necessary changes no matter how hard or difficult it is. Please help me Holy Spirit to go through this process and training. I am confident that I will not fail in Jesus name, amen.