Season 3 Episode 59- Kicking off Healthy Habits for a Stronger Christian Marriage: Exploring Communication with Caroline and Kevin
Why Habits Matter
The habits we make and the habits we break, or rather the habits that can make or break our marriages. My hubby and I don’t claim to be perfect human beings, but we have learned over the years what impact our daily habits have.
The hard thing about habits is we often implement them at a time they are needed. We hope the effect of them will be quick and make a difference, when we don’t see results we grow tired of trying. I think many marriages start with good intentions, start with good habits then eventually they loose priority in our lives.
On today’s Podcast Episode my guest is my incredible hubby, Kevin! There are many habits that make up good or bad marriages, but today we are talking specifically about communication habits. How we talk to each other, the heart behind our speech, what we say and what we don’t. The habits we make and the habits we break.
Top 5 Habits we have made that have made all the difference
- Listening is a form of communication. You are telling your spouse you desire communication by first listening
- Make a point to speak kindly, especially when sorting out difficult topics. Kind words. And always preceed with prayer
- Have grace. Watch how your heart is responding when you disagree. Make sure your responses reflect a heart of grace.
- Avoid societal marriage banter. Ball and chain type jokes are damaging to your marriage.
- Make sweet speech a habit. How you talk to your spouse when you ask them to pick up the dry cleaning, or when you are running late to church. Be aware of your tone on the regular.
The bottom Line
The habits we make and the habits we break affect us daily. Don’t let your emotions lead, make healthy communication habits with your spouse. Sit down and have a conversation about it if you never have. Often the way we speak to each other and about each other is a reflection of our hearts towards our marriage. Have a good heart intention for your marriage, make a plan with your spouse to implement good habits together! Then watch your marriage grow and thrive!
Are you getting married or know someone who is?! Check out our Online Pre-Marital Guidance Course! When you are planning your wedding don’t forget to plan your marriage! Already Married?
Here are some great resources for Biblical Marriage Advice, Check out these Episodes and Blog Posts!
Serving Your Spouse Well- Rhythms in Marriage Blog Post
Learning to Prioritize your spouse in busy seasons Blog Post
Sustaining a healthy marriage through times of transition-Real House Wives Of the Kingdom Podcast Episode with Special guest Jamie Bailey of Expedition Marriage
Scripture References
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:33-37
If you have been snared with the words of your lips,
If you have been trapped by the speech of your mouth,
Do this now, my son, and release yourself [from the obligation];
Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,
Go humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor [to pay his debt and release you].
Give no [unnecessary] sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;
Tear yourself away like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
Proverbs 6:2-5
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32
