ITL136: How Does a Successful Marriage Work?

On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question on what it really takes to have a successful marriage. Occasionally you hear people say, “We don’t have any problems. We don’t fight ever.” Anytime I hear that, I always think that somebody is being fooled. I don’t know how two people can exist and not have to work some things out. If you have ever been involved in a long-term friendship, there have been moments that you could have walked away from the friend and never done anything with them again. A marriage is more than just a long-term friendship.  Polly and I have a working marriage. It’s a consistent work in progress. I think we all go through moments where we feel like we can’t stand a person anymore. That’s human nature. The commitment to how things should be has to be larger than a momentary feeling of disagreement. Our first couple of years were the hardest part of our marriage. We got married, and to our horror, found out how different we were from one another. I panicked for a little while. I remembered Jones telling me that if two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary. I think that the kids knowing that your decisions are for your long-term future really affects them. Even though we disagree or get mad, there is a larger purpose that the boys know they are a part of, too. I think the best marriage book ever written is Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs. It firmly grasps the idea of what both people need. Questions for Listeners Do you have a question? Call in and your question might be featured on the show! Phone: 1-800-726-ANDY E-Mail: [email protected]    Facebook.com/AndyAndrews Twitter.com/AndyAndrews