Model Marriage by Bishop Dag Heward Mills

Model Marriage

5. Be realistic––let go of unrealistic expectations. They only lead to disappointment,
   bitterness and anger. This is an imperfect world filled with imperfect people
   (Romans 3:23).


6. Concern yourself with the needs of others and not just yours.


7. Give unconditional love and not rewarded love.


8. Avoid critical and pessimistic attitudes which are two of your biggest problems.
   This causes you to become frequently disillusioned when things and people
   including your spouse don’t measure up.


9. Maintain a positive and wholesome thought life by thinking good things and
   giving thanks in everything.


10. Encourage your spouse with verbal assurances of love and approval.


11. The melancholic wife needs to have a vital relationship with Jesus Christ so that
    she may enjoy the love, peace and joy He gives, to make her an effective person.


12. Maintain a thankful attitude instead of thinking negatively and being critical so
    that you will have a happier outlook on life and enjoy more fruitful relationships.
    You must accept your husband as he is allowing God to make the needed changes.
    Your submission to him must not depend on his behaviour but on your obedience
    to Christ.


13. Forget about yourself and love your husband unconditionally so that you will reap
    a harvest of love in return.


14. You must learn the lesson of forgiveness.

How to Be a Spiritually Mature Phlegmatic Husband or Wife

1. Recognize that your unflinching behaviour can be a form of control for others
   because once the phlegmatic finds out he can upset others by his refusal to get
   enthused, he will use this ability as a quiet form of control and chuckle at the
   antics others go through trying to elicit excitement from him.


2. Recognize sluggishness as laziness and overcome it with hard work.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Proverbs 6:6

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not

work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among

you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such

we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they

work, and eat their own bread.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12