Marriage takes work because we are fallen by nature. Do we automatically put our spouse's needs before our own....no. Do we automatically behave gently and humbly in conflict....no. Do we automatically compromise on all decisions even when we disagree....no. Do you see the pattern? Our sinful nature is alive and well in our marriage. Usually, the brokenness and shortcomings we bring into marriage create vicious cycles with our spouse's brokenness and shortcomings. If we aren't careful, these negative feedback loops can severely damage our marriage and leave it disabled. Couples should consider attending a couples retreat like this one in Texas. These marriage retreats can provide much needed air and water for your marriage. Have you ever considered your marriage is a living organism....because it is. Just like a plant, your marriage needs regular sunshine, water, and fertilizer for the soil. If I stopped providing a plant with these vital nutrients it would eventually die and that's what happens to marriages all the time. We stop caring for them so they die. God hates divorce so caring for them should be a top priority for all believers. When we attend marriage seminars we are providing our marriage with much needed water, sunshine, and fertilizer. These getaways provide an ideal time to re-connect with your spouse, to learn about who they are again as a person, and to learn how to bring courting back to the relationship. Similar to how our checkbook reveals our values, how we spend our time also reveals our values. Intentionally spend time with your spouse to keep your relationship healthy and prioritized. Furthermore, many couples desire better Christian sex within their marriage without realizing the first step is usually to cultivate a better friendship in the marriage first.