#Relationship# The Five G’s Every Marriage Should Have

Here are 5 G’s that every marriage needs in order to find (and keep) joy:

1. God:
For most, this goes without saying. But for some, it can present a challenge because you and your spouse may not always be on the same page. But there has to be a line of communication open for Him on either end.

2. Guidance:
If you need it, seek it. Relationships are constantly changing, and marriage is no different. Everyday stressors can have a negative impact on marriage and threaten to steal the joy out of it. Seeking guidance can prevent smaller problems from escalating into mountain sized ones later.

3. Guard:
You have to guard your heart against the evil that attempts to set up shop in your marriage, by focusing on the good. We can choose not to give the media permission to invade our hearts with negativity.

4. Giving:
Give freely, openly and more deeply without expecting something in return. Just like William McDowell talks about giving yourself away as an act of love to God, we should do the same with our spouse. We should always be looking for ways to be more giving, and to give love more freely and more often.

5. Gratitude:
It’s not just being thankful, but remembering to show gratitude every single day for even just the simple things. A heart of gratitude can lay the foundation for many other important virtues in marriage, like laughter, love, honesty and humility.