What can you say “No” to for a Good Marriage?

Today, on The Morning Thing, Marcy shared some biblical insight from Author, Jennifer Waddle. She wrote an article for Crosswalk.com called “5 Things You Need to Say NO to for a Good Marriage”.
Click HERE to read the full article.

It is easy to say NO to things that bother us – a telemarketer, kids who want to stay home from school or a child asking for more candy on the shopping trip.

Jennifer challenges us to consider these 5 things you can say “no” to in order to better your marriage.

1. Say “no” to social media comparison.
Say “no” to the damaging effects it can have. Stop scrolling! Stop following and lead the way.
Start thanking God for your spouse.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

2. Say “no” to too much work.
Having a work/life imbalance is one of the number one problems in marriages.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23 NLT)

3. Say “no” to too many friends.
Discuss all friendships with your spouse and develop solid boundaries surrounding them. Say “yes” to only those friendships that are supportive of you and your spouse. 
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

4. Say “no” to extended family.
Consider these questions the next time you feel pulled to say “yes” to family members. They may help you gain clarity and decide when it’s time to say “no.”

• Are you putting your family member’s requests above your spouse’s needs?
• Is there a guilt trip involved in your family member’s demands?
• Does this family member have a bad habit of expecting you to drop everything for them?
• Do they respect your spouse and your marriage?

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)

5. Say “no” to debt.

Here are some resources to help you say “no” to debt and maintain financial health.

How to hire a financial advisor
Take control of your finances and career
Master your money

Jennifer Waddle is a Kansas girl, married to a Colorado hunk, with a heart to encourage women everywhere. She is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where “Discouragement Doesn’t Win!” She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.