Marriage on Guard
Marriage on Guard: Building Strong Relationships God’s Way
By Pastor Joey Rumble, Summerbrook Church
Marriage Matters to God
“Did He not make them one… And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring.” — Malachi 2:15 (ESV)
Your marriage tells a story—not just to your spouse or your kids, but to the world—about what faithfulness to God looks like. That’s why God calls us to guard our marriages. Don’t let them drift. Don’t let outside pressures or distractions sneak in and erode what God is building.
I’ve lived this. Years ago, the external pressures of life were starting to erode my marriage. Then it hit me: I was letting them. That realization gave me hope—and a plan to guard our marriage with God’s help.
8 Ways to Guard Your Marriage
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Communicate intentionally. Don’t be so busy that you forget to talk. Slow down. Take a drive. Sit on the porch. Healthy communication builds healthy connection.
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Forgive quickly.
“Love keeps no record of wrongs.” — 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
Sometimes you’ve got to “delete the spreadsheet”—that invisible list of offenses. Forgiveness frees both of you.
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Love Jesus first. Your relationship with God is primary; your relationship with your spouse is secondary.
Go to Him first for identity and strength—not your spouse. Otherwise, you’ll just be poking holes in each other’s buckets.
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Live within your means. Financial pressure can squeeze the joy right out of a marriage. Build margin. Practice stewardship. (We run Financial Peace University groups to help you dig out of debt and find freedom—jump in!)
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Enjoy the journey. Whether you’re raising kids or you’re empty nesters, enjoy your season. Laugh, take photos, have fun.
Control the media—don’t let it control you.
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Learn each other’s love language. This one changed our marriage. Early on, I learned from Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages that Ginny’s love language is acts of service, while mine is words of affirmation.
I kept telling her, “You’re amazing! You’re awesome! You’re gorgeous!”—and she was thinking, “Talk is cheap, bub!” She just wanted me to do the dishes and pick up my clothes. When I realized she wasn’t trying to tick me off—she just sees love differently—it was like a light bulb went off.
Easy win this week: figure out your spouse’s love language and speak it daily. Take the quiz HERE.
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Remember there are no perfect marriages. Take a deep breath. No perfect lives, no perfect marriages. Don’t compare yourself to people on social media. Pursue connection, not perfection.
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Treasure your spouse. Don’t lose your first love. Treasure your husband or wife, thank God for them, and remind yourself why He brought you together. There were amazing reasons God made you one—don’t take them for granted.
Grace for Every Story
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift.” — Romans 3:23–24 (ESV)
If you’ve failed, God’s forgiveness is bigger than your failure. Start fresh today. And if you’re single or dating—guard your heart, honor God, and pursue someone who’s running toward Jesus too.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, strengthen every marriage. Heal what’s broken, protect what’s strong, and guide those preparing for marriage. Help us seek You first, honor our covenants, and reflect Your love to a watching world. In Your name, Amen.
-DSB,
Joey Rumble