When God instituted marriage, He designed it to be a perfect relationship between and man and his wife. However, because of sin and the fallen nature of man, we have seen all sorts of problems destroy this beautiful and sacred partnership.

Thankfully, Christ came to undo the works of the enemy (see 1 Peter 1:18), and that includes the redemption of every marriage relationship on earth.

Are you a married man or woman hoping to see a better marriage with your spouse? Or are you a spouse hoping to see your estranged spouse come back home and have your marriage restored?

I want to encourage you: there's hope.

The perfect marriage

When God instituted marriage, He designed it so beautifully. There were no third parties, there was no infidelity, no abuse, and no hurts. In fact, the partnership between man and woman was enough – they didn't need others to make them happy or content or satisfied. All they needed was God and each other.

Knowing this, I'd like to share with you three ingredients to a perfect marriage. My wife and I, both of us are imperfect. But I'd like to share with you how we became perfect for each other.

1) God

First of all, recognize that God is involved in the marriage, if you are submitted to Him and following Him. In fact, if you followed Christ while you were still single, you'll need to realize that your spouse, no matter how imperfect, is God's gift to you.

Look at Adam and Eve in Genesis 2. Before God created Eve, He gave orders to Adam who, on the other hand, was so busy obeying God's commands that he didn't even stop to think of a wife.

Marriage, and a spouse, for that matter, was God's idea. In Genesis 2:18 we read,

"And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.""

God instituted marriage, and He alone knows how it should be. Why not seek Him and ask for His wisdom and guidance in your marriage? He knows it more than you do. After all, it's His design.

2) Your spouse

Oh no, don't say you're the one who makes marriage perfect. Seriously, if we all thought of ourselves higher than we ought, our marriages would all be crashing down to the ground.

Ephesians 5:33 instructs all husbands and wives, "Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." There's a lot of wisdom in that.

There's no marriage without a spouse, and even if you have a spouse, marriage won't be perfect if you don't love her. Husbands, learn to put your respective wives ahead of yourselves, and enjoy the results.

3) You

Of course, you are an ingredient for the perfect marriage. While you should love your spouse, you should also love yourself because God loves you and your spouse loves you too.

Remember that God's design for marriage involved Him, Adam, and Eve. There's God, then the husband, and the wife. Once any of the three are missing, the marriage will have problems.

Did you know you can be physically there without being emotionally or spiritually present?  In other words, not giving the best of yourself or all of your intention, going through the motions but without putting your heart into it.

Prioritize your relationship with God, both you and your spouse. Then prioritize each other above any other commitment. It's God first, marriage second, family third, then others after that. Take care of what's important.

For those in broken homes

Is your spouse estranged? Be comforted in the truth that God loves you. Follow Christ and keep praying for your spouse. God is more than willing and able to help you in this matter.

Has your spouse left you for another person? Let God's love heal you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Trust in Him and allow Him to mend your broken heart. Follow Him, and He will never break your heart.

I hope that this article helps you. God bless you!