By Salt 106.5 TeamSaturday 14 Sep 2024The Morning Wake-up with JordanaGuests and ArtistsReading Time: 3 minutes

Brett and Kate Ryan from Focus on the Family chatted with Jordana this week and shared their top marriage advice.

Key Points

• “Our spouse is made in the image of God and therefore we should treat them of great value,” Kate said.
• “If we treat each other as not combatants, but as teammates in doing life together, then it’s so much richer and so much more rewarding,” Brett said.
• “Laughter bonds you,” Kate said.
• Hear the full conversation in the player above.

Brett and Kate have been married for 34 years. They’ve spent this time investing in and building the best marriage they possibly could.

They say there are a few simple things for all of us to remember, when it comes to having a healthy marriage.

Treat your spouse with respect

“Our spouse is made in the image of God and therefore we should treat them of great value,” Kate said.

This concept might seem straightforward, but actually doing it can transform a marriage. By constantly reminding ourselves that our partner possesses inherent worth and dignity, conflicts and misunderstandings can be reframed. Suddenly, the aim isn’t to win an argument or prove a point, but to honour and uplift a person who is precious in the sight of God.

“Our spouse is made in the image of God and therefore we should treat them of great value,” Kate said.

It’s important that we handle our spouse’s heart with care.

“We have their heart in our hands, and we should treat it with that incredible value and dignity and respect because God treats us with that value, dignity and respect,” Brett said.

Nurture your best-friendship

“If we treat each other as not combatants, but as teammates in doing life together, then it’s so much richer and so much more rewarding,” Brett said.

By collaborating and celebrating wins, we’re better able to support each other through life’s challenges.

Shared experiences and mutual support also bolster the strength of the friendship.

“If we treat each other as not combatants, but as teammates in doing life together, then it’s so much richer and so much more rewarding,” Brett said.

Nurturing this friendship involves consistent, meaningful communication, shared hobbies, and a genuine interest in each other’s lives.

By prioritising your best-friendship, couples can navigate through both mundane daily routines and significant life events with solidarity and joy.

Bring joy and laughter into marriage

“Laughter bonds you,” Kate said and explained that it’s about more than just having fun – it’s about creating shared moments of joy that serve as emotional glue.

Even in the midst of a global pandemic, where stress levels were heightened, the couple found solace and bonding through playing Settlers of Catan—albeit with a competitive edge.

“Kate’s very competitive, and I like that because it makes it… it brings out the fun and laughter in our relationship because you’re best friends,” Brett said.

“Laughter bonds you,” Kate said.

It can be tricky, but it’s really important to find activities that both partners enjoy. Shared experiences create positive memories and reinforce the notion that marriage should be a source of joy and companionship.

Whether it’s board games, cooking together, or engaging in outdoor activities, these moments can act as a counterbalance to life’s inevitable stresses.

“And if we treat each other as not combatants, but as teammates in doing life together, then it’s so much richer and so much more rewarding,” Brett said.

“And the bonus is you get to do it with your best friend.”

Hear the full conversation in the player above.

Feature image by CanvaPro