“A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.” (Proverbs 14:1)

Marriage is under assault today like never before. Even rock-solid relationships are not immune to attack, whether those attacks come from without or within.

How can we safeguard our marriages and protect our homes and families from forces that would seek to destroy them?

We must never lose HOPE!

There are four things we can do today to fortify our marriage and keep it standing strong tomorrow:

H = Honor

Honor is the bedrock of any relationship. Honor your husband. Communicate respect. Honor your marriage vows. Too many couples seem ready to toss them out the window at the slightest provocation. You must honor the promises and commitments you made on your wedding day if you hope for love to last. And above all, honor God in the way you conduct life in your home — including (especially) the way you treat and talk to and think about your spouse.

O = Observe

Some folks can’t see the honey for the bees. Don’t get so distracted by little offenses that your lose sight of the big picture. Focus on your husband’s good qualities instead of his annoying habits. When conflicts arise, try to see things from his perspective. Watch for contributing factors (stress, hunger, lack of sleep or intimacy, etc.), and try to avoid those triggers in the future. In the midst of any hardship, look for positive lessons to be learned and ways in which God might use that trial for your good and His glory. (Romans 8:28)

P = Pray

Never underestimate the power of prayer. We have an advocate above who is able “to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20) If you are burdened about the health of your marriage, lay it at the feet of Jesus. He alone has the power to heal. Pray for your husband, yes, but also pray that God would open your eyes to any blind spots in your own life — attitudes or actions that need to change for your marriage to flourish the way He intends.

E = Excel

The Bible tells us that an excellent wife “comforts, encourages, and does [her husband] only good as long as there is life within her.” (Proverbs 31:10-12) It’s a high ideal to shoot for, but shouldn’t we strive to be that sort of woman? To be a blessing, not a burden? To nurture, not nag? To be a wife who loves deeply, serves joyfully, forgives freely, and labors tirelessly to build a home filled to overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and all good things? (Galatians 5:22)

By the grace of God, we can be such a wife and we can have such a home, provided we don’t lose HOPE.

“By wisdom a house is built, through understanding it is established, and by knowledge its rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Proverbs 24:3-4)

This article was first published as a guest post over at The Laundry Moms, and I’m very thankful to them for giving me the opportunity to write it.