The Choice is Yours
Jane Austen once wrote, “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.” But that doesn’t ring quite true.
Experience has proven time and again that chance has much less to do with happiness than do attitude and outlook. Austen might have more accurately written, “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of choice.”
Our success in marriage, as in life, is in large part determined by the choices — large and small — that we make day after day after day.
So… what is it going to be? Will you:
- Affirm or criticize?
- Rejoice or complain?
- Hope or despair?
- Listen or ignore?
- Smile or frown?
- Work hard or give up?
- Show respect or contempt?
- Put others first or look out for #1?
- Build up or tear down?
- Make love or make excuses?
The choice is yours. You decide.
Update: By reader request, below is a printable version of this article that you are welcome to share with others.
More Biblically Sound Marriage Tips
The Word of God is full of wisdom for every facet of life, but we’ve found it especially helpful in building a happy, healthy marriage. For a fascinating look at how science has confirmed the superiority of God’s design, check out my book Love Your Husband, Love Yourself.
Jennifer
This is beyond good and the only way a couple will ever last 25-75 years. Making a choice and a wise one is important. Thanks for reminding us. Nobody is perfect but the promises we made to love and cherish are for times when the going is rough and one or both feels like giving up.
Is this available to print out? I would like to have copy of it for my “lovers notebook” at the The Little Stone Cottage in Lancaster PA. Also would like to print for my notebook “Seven reasons to prioritize sex in marriage,” and “Why I keep saying yes to sex”. I have both of your books there and other stuff from your site. You are one of the best on the subject of marriage. Keep on encouraging, wives, husbands and families. Your writing is from much experience and a deep love For God’s eternal truth.
Thank you for those kind words of encouragement, Lewis. As per your request, I’ve now uploaded printable versions of The Choice is Yours and Why I Keep Saying Yes to Sex (click on links to download). The other article, Seven Reasons to Prioritize Sex in Marriage, is going to take a little longer, but I will post that one here, as well, once it is ready. God bless you and your cottage ministry to couples!
Totally agree! More and more people need to stop believing that they have no control over their emotions. They can choose to do what is right even though it may be the hardest thing to do.