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The Ministry of Health and Healing
Though difficulties, perplexities, and discouragements may arise,
let neither husband nor wife harbor the thought that their union
is a mistake or a disappointment. Determine to be all that it is
possible to be to each other. Continue the early attentions. In every
way encourage each other in fighting the battles of life. Study to
advance the happiness of the other. Let there be mutual love, mutual
forbearance. Then marriage, instead of being the end of love, will be,
as it were, the very beginning of love. The warmth of true friendship,
the love that binds heart to heart, is a foretaste of the joys of heaven.
Around every family there is a sacred circle that should be kept
unbroken. Within this circle no other person has a right to come. Let
not the husband or the wife permit another to share the confidences
that belong solely to themselves.
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Let each give love rather than exact it. Cultivate that which is
noblest in yourselves, and be quick to recognize the good qualities
in the other. The consciousness of being appreciated is a wonderful
stimulus and satisfaction. Sympathy and respect encourage one to
strive toward excellence, and love itself increases as it stimulates to
nobler aims.
Neither the husband nor the wife should merge his or her indi-
viduality in that of the other. Each has a personal relation to God. Of
Him each is to ask, “What is right?” “What is wrong?” “How may
I best fulfill life’s purpose?” Let the wealth of your affection flow
forth to Him who gave His life for you. Make Christ first and last
and best in everything. As your love for Him becomes deeper and
stronger, your love for each other will be purified and strengthened.
The spirit that Christ manifests toward us is the spirit that hus-
band and wife are to manifest toward each other. “As Christ also has
loved us,” “walk in love.” “As the church is subject to Christ, so let
the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love
your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself
for it.”
Ephesians 5:2, 24, 25
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Neither the husband nor the wife should attempt to exercise
arbitrary control over the other. Do not try to compel each other to
yield to your wishes. You cannot do this and retain each other’s love.
Be kind, patient, and forbearing, considerate, and courteous. By the
grace of God you can succeed in making each other happy, as in
your marriage vow you promised to do.