How to Make Your Home a Marriage Sanctuary
By: Jennifer Waddle
“Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.” (Isaiah 32:2)
In the first few verses of Isaiah 32, the Bible describes a king reigning in righteousness and princes ruling in justice. Those verses are followed by a beautiful description of the safe haven that is provided under their faithful leadership.
What if our homes became like that beautiful description? A sanctuary of safety would be cultivated by creating a shelter from life’s storms, a hiding place from the wind, and shade for our weariness.
For many married couples in today’s culture, and even in the church, the words marriage and sanctuary do not go hand in hand. After all, the term sanctuary is described as a place of refuge, retreat, and security. Sadly, many marriages do not fit this profile, nor do they foster a sense of sanctuary in their homes.
But don’t be discouraged. You can turn the tide of today’s culture and not only revitalize your marriage into a thriving, healthy state, but also make your home a place of retreat.
If your home is a place you’d rather avoid, due to unsettled tensions, make every effort to turn it into a safe haven of peace and rest for your marriage. Here are a few practical ideas to make that happen:
- Don’t go to bed angry. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath…” (Ephesians 4:26)
- Be honest without being hurtful. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.” (Proverbs 15:1-2)
- Receive your spouse warmly. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
No matter the current temperature of your marriage dynamic, you can make your home a sanctuary. To promote a sense of refuge and security in your marriage, choose one of the above areas and begin to create a home that is a beautiful haven. It may be one of the most important things you could do for your marriage and your home.
Editor’s Note: Part of this devotional was taken from How to Make Your Home a Marriage Sanctuary by Jennifer Waddle. You can read the full blog post here.
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