Want to save your marriage but not sure where to start?

Then begin by following these 3 steps to save your marriage before it is too late.

1. Commit, Even If You Alone Desire To Save The Marriage

Even if you are the only one who wants to save your marriage right now because your spouse has decided to separate or divorce, do not quit just yet. Commit right now that you will give it another shot.

Pray for the strength and determination to see it through.

Make a commitment to yourself that you will do everything necessary to save this relationship.

There will be times when you feel like giving up but stay calm and persevere because your marriage is worth saving.

It is very likely that when your spouse sees how committed you are, he or she will be persuaded to give things another chance, too.

So, the first step to save your marriage before it is too late is to commit.

2. Regarding Adultery…

If you have been unfaithful to your spouse and caused them great hurt, then assure them the affair is over and you have ended the relationship and severed all ties and contact.

Share how truly sorry you are for being unfaithful. Ask them to forgive you. And assure them that you are willing to do whatever it takes to earn their trust again.

Work with your husband or wife to make sure that an affair will never happen again.

Be true to your words – keep your promise – because earning the trust of your spouse will be a difficult task that requires your deepest commitment and fullest cooperation.

If you are the spouse who has been hurt, and your spouse is seeking your forgiveness, then I would urge you to do so. Your husband or wife knows that he or she will need to regain  your trust. And although it will not be easy for you, it is possible. Work with your spouse to bring healing to the underlying issues that triggered the affair so as to protect your marriage from future indiscretions.

3. Deal With Disagreements Productively

If countless disagreements are driving you and your spouse apart and creating a wall of separation, then find a way to break through so you can be close and intimate again.

Open the lines of communication.

Share your feelings, thoughts and concerns – especially about the status of your marriage.

Be ready to accept and listen to whatever your spouse wants to say. And make especially sure that you listen carefully and be considerate of their feelings and points of views, too – EVEN if you do not agree with them.

Authentic communication must be the starting place if you are going to be successful in your efforts to save the marriage.

As you start communicating and sharing with each other once again, you will become friends once more instead of enemies who feel contempt and ridicule towards each other.  You will eventually start growing closer and closer.

4. Bonus Step: Seek Outside Help To Save Your Marriage

Attending marriage counseling, talking to a minister, priest or psychologist, can help you turn things around. Do not be reluctant or afraid to seek professional help to save your marriage. We would not think twice about calling a plumber to fix a clogged drain (and spend several hundred dollars if it was an emergency) so why should we hesitate to seek help to save our marriage?

At the end of the day, the important thing is for you to keep demonstrating that you are committed to saving your marriage. And in a caring way, do whatever it takes to help foster this same spirit and commitment within the heart of your spouse.

Start with these four baby steps to get yourself going in the right direction.  And even when you take a couple steps backward from time to time, stay determined and keep moving forward.

You will be amazed at the positive impact these simple actions will have on your relationship and the role they play in saving your marriage.