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A happily ever after with a partner is something most desire to have. However, achieving a great marriage can be challenging, which results in heartbreak.
“Faithfulness in marriage must start even before the marriage vows are exchanged.” – Hilaire Louis Jean
Half of marriages end in divorce.
As cynical as it sounds, this has unfortunately become a reality today. First marriages usually end in divorce, and the possibility increases if it’s a second marriage. The question of why these statistics increase isn’t answered by people casually jumping into marriages at the early stages of their relationship. Instead, it’s about who they’re entering the union with.
Among the top four reasons for divorce, infidelity or extramarital affairs are among the most common. It proves that regardless of the promises people make in front of witnesses and their religion, some remain open to breaking them and the hearts of those to whom they’re bound. There’s no question that marriage, in fact, any relationship, can be tough to maintain.
But why do some people let go easier than others?
The Secret to a Great Marriage Overlooked by Others
The opposite of a great marriage isn’t divorce. Instead, it’s the image of couples being unfaithful with each other. No true love thrives when couples entertain other people outside the relationship. It’s as simple as that. Faithfulness binds individuals to their spouses; regardless of whether they aren’t together, they don’t test other waters.
Nobody plans when infidelity happens.
But nobody can also consider it an accident.
Regardless of the situation one finds themselves in, it’s always a choice to remain faithful to one’s spouse. The Seven Principles of Successful Marriage by Hilaire Louis Jean shares some secret ingredients of a successful marriage. Among the seven virtues and principles highlighted, faithfulness trumps most and is deemed the primary component of a happy and fruitful union.
The author underlines that faithfulness, although often summarized as loyalty, can be a more complex concept to practice. It’s the depths of why partners stay with each other through thick and thin. It’s measured in successfully avoiding different temptations in life to protect the sanctity of marriage.
To achieve a great marriage through faithfulness, couples don’t only have to be with each other. Instead, they must be together in heart, body, and soul, sharing and carrying the burdens that each is troubled with, living in union with each other. In a great marriage, faithfulness presents itself through the partners fulfilling their duties for one another and committing through their vows so that they aren’t only words but translated into actions. Hence, faithfulness isn’t only a matter of staying with a single partner but also offering one’s life to achieve happiness and contentment with each other.
Faithfulness Strengthens the Union’s Foundation
Above the genuine love every couple shares, trust and respect are necessary to keep the union alive. These virtues convert to faithfulness, which only fuels passion, pushing the marriage to greater heights and a more fruitful connection. Without the efforts and minds wavering, faithfulness is expressed when people stay true to the vows they’ve promised each other, breeding intimacy in the couples’ bonds.
Although it’s a cornerstone of a great marriage, faithfulness isn’t a natural virtue for everyone. While this doesn’t automatically mean the union is bound to fail, a successful one requires more effort.
Honest and Open Communication
Honesty isn’t the only requirement for a great marriage. Instead, couples must be open and listen to each other’s desires and concerns. Being seen and heard creates a safe space that reassures couples they’re still loved and welcomed in their life. Above all else, effective communication maintains the fire in the union’s intimacy. The more couples are open in communicating their sides of a story, the fewer misunderstandings happen, which only fosters faithfulness in every marriage.
Emotional Maturity and Intimacy
Love is an emotion that people can’t always quickly feel and express. To attain a great marriage, couples must effectively nurture a mature sense of emotion. They must learn to be vulnerable as much as they’d want to be perceived as strong, wholeheartedly opening themselves to their partners. Being genuine and emotionally mature strengthens the union, decreasing instances of partners seeking this satisfaction and fulfillment from others.
Honor and Respect Boundaries
Although marriage is the most extraordinary form of union any relationship can achieve, this doesn’t mean partners shouldn’t establish boundaries. Regardless of how intimate couples are, they should still have a safeguarded space meant to be respected and nurtured. Every couple needs personal space, and their partners must learn to honor it. These bounds measure comfort and safety, and respecting these means keeping each other’s wishes and demands.
When couples respect their spaces, this doesn’t mean that intimacy is lost. Instead, it means they’re comfortable and trusting enough of each other to not meddle into the other’s bubble. Maintaining open lines of communication bridges any problems present in unions. It’s what births a great marriage and is something every couple needs to work together to build.
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