Marriage was created to make us Holy.

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Marriage is one of God’s greatest tools for shaping and refining us. While many enter marriage thinking it’s about personal happiness, the deeper reality is that marriage was designed to make us holy. Through the daily joys and challenges of living with another imperfect person, we are stretched, humbled, and transformed into the image of Christ.
If you've ever found yourself praying, “Lord, help me before I lose my mind with this man (or woman)!”—you’re not alone! Marriage reveals both our strengths and our weaknesses, forcing us to lean on God for grace, patience, and unconditional love.

Marriage Teaches Us to Walk in True Love
Love in marriage is not just about emotions; it’s about commitment, selflessness, and a willingness to grow. 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a blueprint for love, and marriage is where we learn to walk it out daily.

Marriage Teaches Us to Be Patient
We all think we’re patient—until we have to deal with someone else's quirks 24/7! True patience in marriage means choosing grace over frustration, even when your spouse leaves the cabinet doors open for the hundredth time or forgets to take out the trash. Christlike patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and marriage gives us countless opportunities to cultivate it.

Marriage Teaches Us to Be Kind
Being nice and being kind are not the same. Niceness avoids conflict to keep the peace, but kindness speaks truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). In marriage, kindness means correcting in love, encouraging growth, and prioritizing your spouse’s well-being. Sometimes, kindness looks like tough love—holding your spouse accountable while still extending grace.

Marriage Teaches Us Not to Envy
Jealousy has no place in a godly marriage. True love celebrates a spouse’s victories instead of competing with them. If your spouse gets a promotion, achieves a goal, or shines in a particular area, love rejoices rather than resents. Envy in marriage creates division, but contentment fosters unity and gratitude.

Marriage Teaches Us Not to Be Proud
Pride says, "I'm always right." Humility says, "We’re in this together." A prideful heart refuses to admit wrongs, while a humble heart seeks reconciliation. In a godly marriage, we must be willing to listen, learn, and acknowledge our spouse’s strengths without feeling the need to prove ourselves superior.

Marriage Teaches Us Not to Demand Our Own Way
Love is not self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13:5). In marriage, we learn the art of compromise, sacrifice, and serving one another. The goal is not to win arguments but to strengthen the relationship. True love lays down personal preferences for the good of the union, just as Christ laid down His life for the Church (Ephesians 5:25).

Marriage Teaches Us Not to Keep a Record of Wrongs
Forgiveness is essential in marriage. Keeping score of past mistakes only builds resentment and division. Instead, love chooses to release offenses and move forward together. When we let go of grudges, we create an environment where grace, healing, and reconciliation can thrive.

Holiness Over Happiness
Marriage is not just about making us happy—it’s about making us holy. Happiness is a byproduct of two people committed to growing in Christ together. Through the highs and lows, God uses marriage to refine us, challenge us, and ultimately draw us closer to Him.
So, the next time your spouse tests your patience, remember—marriage is God’s refining fire, shaping you into a vessel of His love. Embrace the journey, trust the process, and allow God to do His transforming work in your heart and your home.