10 Things I Stopped Doing in My Marriage to Build a God-Centered Relationship

Marriage is a sacred bond, and as a Christian, keeping God at the center of that bond is crucial. Over the years, I’ve learned that there are habits and attitudes that can distance us from each other and from God’s vision for marriage. Here are 10 things I intentionally stopped doing in my marriage to strengthen it and align with a God-centered relationship:

1. Stop Neglecting Prayer Together
At first, my husband and I prayed individually, but we realized the power of coming together in prayer as a couple. Praying together not only invites God into our marriage but also deepens our spiritual connection.

Scripture:
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20

2. Stop Keeping Score
There was a time when I kept a mental list of all the things I did versus what my husband did. But marriage isn’t a competition. Love keeps no record of wrongs, and we’re called to forgive and move forward.

Scripture:
“Love…keeps no record of wrongs.” – 1 Corinthians 13:5

3. Stop Relying on My Own Strength
I used to try and fix things in my marriage by myself, relying on my own wisdom. Now, I surrender challenges to God and seek His guidance in moments of conflict or difficulty.

Scripture:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

4. Stop Prioritizing My Wants Over God’s Will
It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on what I want, but God’s plan for our marriage is greater. Learning to submit to God’s will over my own has transformed our relationship.

Scripture:
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” – Ephesians 5:21

5. Stop Holding on to Grudges
Holding on to past hurt only created a wedge between us. Now, we focus on forgiveness and grace, remembering that we are both imperfect but loved by God.

Scripture:
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

6. Stop Comparing My Marriage to Others
Comparison is a thief of joy, especially in marriage. Instead of looking at other couples, I now focus on the unique relationship God has blessed us with, trusting that He is working in our lives.

Scripture:
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” – Galatians 6:4

7. Stop Communicating Selfishly
Early on, I spoke to be heard, not to understand. I’ve since learned the importance of listening to my husband’s heart and speaking with grace, considering his needs and feeling

Scripture:
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” – Ephesians 4:29

8. Stop Ignoring Quality Time
Amid our busy lives, finding intentional time together became a challenge. We decided to stop treating our relationship like just another aspect of our lives and started using our time to prioritize each other, fostering deeper connections and understanding.

Scripture:
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24

9. Stop Expecting Perfection
I used to expect my husband to meet all my needs perfectly. I’ve come to realize that only God can fulfill my deepest longings, and accepting each other’s imperfections has brought us more peace.

Scripture:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

10. Stop Isolating Our Marriage from Community
For a long time, we kept our marriage struggles to ourselves, but now we seek support from a faith-based community. Sharing our experiences and receiving guidance from other believers has been a blessing.

Scripture:
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Final Thoughts:
A God-centered marriage is not about perfection but about placing Christ at the center, trusting Him to lead, and showing love and grace to each other daily. What have you found helpful in keeping God at the center of your relationship?

Blessings