Every married person wants to be a good wife or husband and being devoted is one of the keys to achieving this. Research tells us that devoted spouses are much more satisfied with their marriages and less likely to feel trapped. They are willing to make sacrifices for the sake of their marriages and they also tend to have long lasting marriages. So, what does a devoted spouse look like?

A Devoted Spouse . . .

Supports their spouse emotionally. They validate their spouse’s feelings and emotions instead of brushing them off. They do not challenge their spouse’s feelings and are careful not to make statements such as “quit feeling sorry for yourself” which can be extremely invalidating.

Shares their deepest thoughts with their spouse. They are able to be completely open, honest and vulnerable with their spouses. They do not keep their spouse’s guessing what they are thinking about.

Enjoys spending time with their spouse. They rush home from work so that they can spend time with their partners. When they are with their partners, they give them their undivided attention which in a committed relationship brings about feelings of connectedness and companionship.

Pays attention to the little things. They are able to tell when their spouse is feeling hurt or sad and respond accordingly with love and compassion. Also, they constantly do little things to show their love for their spouses such as calling to check up on them or sending an “I love you text” in the middle of the day.

For the most part, being a good wife or husband is synonymous with being a devoted spouse.

Becoming a Devoted Spouse

Pray for Gods guidance. Ask God to reveal his will for your marriage and show you the kid of spouse he wants you to be.

Show devotion with your words and actions. Don’t just tell your spouse that you are committed to them. Show them through selfless love, loyalty, kindness and faithfulness.

Set long-term goals for your marriage. Nothing says devotion and commitment like setting long-term goals for your marriage and constantly working to improve it. Ask yourself how you would like to see your marriage grow and then map out how you are going to get there.

If you are a newlywed who is trying to figure out how to be a good husband or how to be a good wife, or just someone who wants to be a better wife or husband, becoming a devoted spouse is a great place to start. Start following the above advice and watch your marriage change for the better.