In 2020, marriages may have been tested like never before. The uncertainty, fear, and close quarters are a recipe for strain on even the healthiest marriages. But it’s a good thing we had the Bible and many Crosswalk contributors lending their wisdom to guide us with timeless principles.
Marriages thrive when they are built on Christ, offer loving communication, and are other-focused. Even when we think we know everything and have our bases covered, there’s so much that can be learned when we take a posture of humility.
No matter what this year threw at us, God’s Word prevailed. Here is a recap of the 10 most popular marriage articles from 2020, in no particular order.
1. 10 Great Ways Wives Can Serve Their Husbands (Yes, Serve!)
By Jennifer Waddle
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Prostock-Studio
In our modern age, the word “serve” can have such a negative connotation, especially when it comes to women serving men. But wives being intentional about serving their husband, with joy and gratitude, can be such a gift to their marriage.
Small gestures like smiling more and him your giving undivided attention go such a long way. This article is also full of long-term mentalities to grow in, like being your husband’s number 1 fan and learning their love language.
If you’re looking to strengthen your marriage, focusing on giving rather than getting is such a beautiful place to start.
2. How to Pray for Your Husband instead of Trying to Change Him
By Alisha Headley
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/XiXinXing
Trying to change a husband is something ever wife can relate to. After all, you married an imperfect human—and wouldn’t it be so nice if they could just be perfect overnight!
But a wise wife knows that nagging and poking do not product the results you want. It’s much better to get on your knees in prayer and rely on God’s sovereignty and love.
This article reminds every wife to start with God first, and to pray for every aspect of their husband’s spiritual journey.
3. Will I Still Be Married to My Spouse in Heaven?
By Hope Bolinger
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/RomoloTavani
This is a question that practically every Christian spouse has asked. When you say “I do,” you really do want to be with your spouse for forever!
But is forever actually forever?
Find the answers you’re seeking here, with plenty of Scriptures to back it up, and to calm your anxiety.
4. 10 Things All Wives Need to Stop Doing
By Amanda Idleman
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
No wife sets out to do the wrong thing or to have a negative habit. But when you’re in day-to-day survival mode, it can be easy to be blind to your not-so-loving coping mechanisms or patterns. From being overly serious to retelling embarrassing stories about your husband, there are things every wife does that can hurt her marriage without realizing it.
This article is not meant to be condemning towards anyone, but rather a toolbox to help you take stock of how you treat your husband, and how you can take steps to change.
5. How to Maintain Intimacy in Your Marriage
By Heather Riggleman
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
No honeymoon period lasts forever, but sometimes intimacy in a marriage can slip so far as to where it just feels like you’re roommates, rather than lovers.
And we’re not just talking sexual intimacy here. Spiritual and emotional intimacy is just as important, if not more. So how do you maintain intimacy in a marriage, once you’ve been married for years and years? How do you get intimacy back, if it’s been lost for a while?
This article will answer these tough questions, and more.
6. 7 Types of Fights Every Couple Has and How to Solve Them
By Sue Schlesman
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Deagreez
Every marriage is different—but some fights are common amongst them all. Parenting styles, friendship expectations, and money habits are all examples of things bound to come to a head.
This article will help you to feel validated that you aren’t just picking silly fights and that you’re not alone—but will also give you helpful steps forward to move past what the fight is really about.
7. Drew Barrymore Swears Off Marriage as Outdated - Here's Why She's Wrong
By Amanda Idleman
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Alejandro Avila
In a recent interview, Drew Barrymore said “I never want to be entwined with someone like that again ever. You break up, and you move on. You get divorced, and it’s just so different. I love that we are trying to hold on to an institution that [started] when the closest person to you for companionship was a three-day horse ride away and your life span was 30 years."
Although she claims that marriage is an outdated institution, we know from the Bible that this isn’t true. Read on to be reminded of all of the blessings that marriage brings us.
8. What Is the Purpose of Covenant Marriage in the Bible?
Jason Soroski
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/yehor
Speaking of the institution of marriage, learn all about what it means to be in a covenant and why God created marriage to begin with.
Yes, the world has its own legal terms for what marriage is, but the Bible has many scriptures that bring to light how beautiful marriage really is.
Although the divorce rate could be scaring people off from getting married to begin with, this article brings God’s heart for marriage back into focus.
9. 5 Ways Husbands Make Wives Feel Unloved without Knowing It
By Amanda Idleman
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Henri Pham
Wives aren’t the only ones with blind spots. Despite their best intentions, husbands can be unaware of how much certain things like a lack of empathy or not considering schedules can affect their wives.
Although women don’t want to be seen as high maintenance, it’s important to speak up for your needs so that resentment doesn’t build.
If you’re a husband, reading this article will help you to understand your wife and her needs better. If you’re a wife, reading this will help you to feel validated in your needs and encouraged to communicate lovingly about them.
10. 10 Powerful Prayers for an Unbelieving Husband
By Alisha Headley
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Tutye
When you love someone as much as a wife loves a husband, it is so painful to know that they are not in a right relationship with God.
Although the temptation is to be controlling or manipulative, prayer is the much better option. And not just prayers for the end result, but prayers for every step along the way, including your own trust in God.
This article not only gives you the words to pray that might be hard to find on your own, but also gives you scriptures to go along with each one, to remind you of God’s power and goodness.
One of Satan’s favorite battlegrounds will always be godly marriages. But with the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and eachother—God will always win the war. May these articles be a salve for your marriages, not just in 2020, but in years to come.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/bernardbodo
The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.
Kelly-Jayne McGlynn is a former editor at Crosswalk.com. She sees the act of expression, whether through writing or art, as a way to co-create with God and experience him deeper. Check out her handmade earrings on Instagram and her website for more of her thoughts on connecting with God through creative endeavors.