Every marriage experiences disagreements, it's normal. But how we handle conflict can either build closeness or create distance. Responding with love, patience, and faith strengthens your relationship with your spouse and honors God. Even small, intentional changes in how you communicate can transform your marriage.
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, alone with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:31-32
Here are 5 tips to resolve conflict biblically in marriage:
- Pray Before You Speak: Take a moment to calm your heart and invite God into the conversation. A brief prayer for guidance can prevent words said in anger from causing harm.
- Listen First, Speak Second: Truly hearing your spouse's perspective is more important than responding immediately. Often, simply feeling heard diffuses tension.
- Seek Understanding, Not Victory: Marriage isn't about winning arguments, it's about finding solutions together. Ask yourself: How can we solve this together in a way that honors God?
- Apologize and Forgive Quickly: Holding onto resentment only builds walls. A sincere apology and quick forgiveness keeps your hearts connected.
- Turn to Scripture Together: Reading and reflecting on God's Word as a couple provides guidance, encourages humility, and reminds you of your shared faith foundation.
Our marriage guide, The Marriage Prayer Journal, offers daily exercises, prompts, and prayers designed to help couples communicate, forgive, and grow closer to God together, even in challenging seasons.