Understanding is the key to true love and intimacy.
Although it is a process, you can deepen and develop your relationship along the way. Sometimes, along the path, it’s good to stop and evaluate how you’re doing as a couple.
Good maintenance prevents major breakdowns.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself concerning your marriage:
- How can I best serve my partner?
- Am I a good listener?
- Do I really hear what my partner is saying, or am I busy thinking about how I am going to respond?
- Can we disagree agreeably? If not, what it is that causes us to argue?
- Do I know what really pleases my partner? Have I pursuing this?
- Do I know what really annoys my partner? Have I been doing this?
- What are my dreams and hopes for our marriage?
- What are yours?
- How do we express our spirituality as a couple? Are we satisfied with the present level of spiritual commitment?
- What are we not doing that we ought to be doing?
- What would it take to start doing it?
- Have I been completely honest with my partner? About the past? About how I am feeling? About my activities?
- Are there any roadblocks to emotional intimacy in our marriage? Do we know what they are? Do we know how to get rid of them?
- Have I been making selfish demands?
- Am I willing to change?
- Do we agree on money issues? What can we learn from each other in this area?
- Is there something wrong that needs to be confronted?
- Is there something good that needs to be celebrated?
- Do I need to take more responsibility for creating a healthy and happy home?
- Am I willing to forgive?
- Am I willing to deal with issues, rather than attacking or sulking in silence?
- What three things can I do which would bring great joy to my partner?
[from Revitalize Your Church
