Consider this: We become what we think. Every unkind word, every bitter confrontation, every criticism we utter begins in the mind and often is the result of past negative thinking. Even selfishness is a mindset brought on by what we think. If we change our thought patterns, we change our behavior.

The breakdown between what we believe and think, and how we live, often is visible in our relationship with our spouse. This happens when grace and peace are absent in the home, resulting in marital dissatisfaction and countless divorces. It is normal for couples to experience disappointments and differences, but when we rely upon manipulation, criticism, contempt, or isolation to compel our spouse to give in to our desires, we cause distress in our marriage. Our life partner will feel excluded from intimacy, unappreciated and unloved.

Take the advice of the apostle Paul and let yourself think often about God and those things that are worthy of praise throughout the day. A successful marriage is a three-way partnership between a man, a woman, and God. Try it, and watch your marriage bloom again.

Discuss:  Share about a time when you finally woke up to the reality that your speech patterns were causing damage to yourself and others.

Success in marriage is more than finding the right person:
it is being the right person.
ROBERT BROWNING (1812–1889)

Building Relationships Across Nations | Bringing Christ to the Home