Notice what Adam said about Eve. “’At last!’ Adam exclaimed. ‘She is part of my own flesh and bone! She will be called ‘woman’, because she was taken out of man.’ This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife and the two are united into one” (Genesis 2:23-25 NLT).

There is no better explanation of marriage than in God’s Word. Holy matrimony was God’s idea and His ideal for the happiness of Adam and Eve and the subsequent human race. Marriage was to be between a husband and wife, a man and woman who would enjoy one another “know one another” produce children and raise them in a family.

Why do so many in our generation live together outside the bonds of marriage as God ordained? Perhaps many children saw the stress and strife in their parent’s marriage or were children of parents who divorced and left them insecure and reluctant to make a commitment to marriage. Some who will not commit to marriage are simply self-centered, selfish, rebellious, and have bought into the devil’s lies concerning God’s command of marriage, commitment, and family.

All marriages have a certain amount of stress. We are human and bring our own expectations and baggage into marriage. How can we relieve the stress from marriage? How can we develop a Merry Marriage? Consider the following stress relievers that can make a Merry Marriage.

First – LEARN TO LAUGH. We sometimes take life too seriously. Lighten up and live. My wife and I feel closer when we laugh together. We may laugh at ourselves, at a funny email, a funny movie, the antics of our pets or grandchildren, or at my corny jokes. I love it when my wife catches my “dry sense” of humor or hidden puns. Learn to laugh in the face of the storm or for the sunshine. God’s word tells us that “a merry heart doeth good like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).

Three things that husbands and wives must share together are life, love, and laughter. Do you need joy? “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). True joy comes from Jesus. Someone said JOY comes when you put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.

Second – CULTIVATE CONTENTMENT. Many couples are stressed out and have lost their joy because they have been so caught up in making money and accumulating material goods that they no longer enjoy life or one another. Debt has defeated many marriages in western society. The Word of God tells us, “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than . . .” (Proverbs 15:16). “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6). “Be content with such things as you have” (Hebrews 13:5). Is your value system wrong? Take Jesus’ counsel, “Lay up treasures in heaven not on earth” (Matthew 6:20). God knows we need to make a living and support a family but remember to have a Merry Marriage – CULTIVATE CONTENTMENT.

Third – ALLEVIATE ANGER. “A wrathful man stirs up strife” (Proverbs 14:17). The Bible tells us “to be angry and sin not. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). Be sure to forgive and make amends before you go to bed. Learn to control your words. “A soft answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1).

Fourth – WALK IN WISDOM. Read and apply the principles of the Book of Wisdom (Proverbs) and God’s Word to your life and marriage. Don’t hesitate to seek counsel for marriage and family. “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). Take advantage of Marriage Enrichment seminars and retreats. A Merry Marriage must be worked at and maintained. Pray for your mate and God will give you wisdom and work wonders.

Fifth – BE FRIENDS NOT FOES. Before Adam and Eve “knew each other and produced children, they were friends”. Friendship must be worked at. David and Jonathan are biblical examples of true friendship. (I Samuel 18:1). What were the ingredients of their friendship? Study their relationship as friends and you will find that they were loyal, trusted one another, and admired and respected one another. If you do not admire one another and show respect, friendship can not grow and thrive.

Friends must trust, talk, take care of one another and invest time and togetherness. Remember you are friends not foes. Cherish one another. (I Peter 3:7-10)

Jesus is your best friend. “A friend of sinners.” (Matthew 11:19) “A friend that sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) When you become a friend of God you can have a truly Merry Marriage.

“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).