In the same way you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands, so that if any of them do not believe God's word, your conduct will win them over to believe. It will not be necessary for you to say a word, because they will see how pure and reverent your conduct is. You should not use outward aids to make yourselves beautiful, such as the way you fix your hair, or the jewelry you put on, or the dresses you wear. Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight. For the devout women of the past who placed their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful by submitting themselves to their husbands. Sarah was like that; she obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are now her daughters if you do good and are not afraid of anything.

1 Peter 3:1-6

If your spouse is a problem, do not blame them. Blame yourself, and pray. Open your heart to the Lord and ask Him to confront the evil in you. He will begin to do so, gently, gradually, and gracefully. You will then begin to see yourself as you are, and it will not be as the thoughtful, patient, polite, gracious, giving, and self-controlled person you thought you were. Our growth in grace may change our spouse, or it may not. There are no guarantees in life, except God's love. But with His help, we can change. Although all our marriage ills may not be cured, but God's grace can make us well.

Success in marriage is not finding the right person

but becoming the right person.

Our Daily Bread - May 3, 2003