A New Year, A Fresh Start for Your Relationship
Sade sighed as she glanced at her husband, Todd across the dinner table. They weren’t fighting, but they weren’t talking either.
“It feels like we’re just going through the motions,” she said out loud not meaning to voice her thoughts.
Have you ever felt like this in your relationship? Things aren’t necessarily bad, but they’re not growing either. You’re simply coasting.
That’s exactly what happens when we don’t intentionally work on our marriages. But here’s the good news: A new year is a perfect opportunity to hit reset and grow your relationship on purpose.
Why Does Your Relationship Need a Fresh Start?
Your relationship needs a fresh start just like you set goals for your health, career, or finances at the start of a new year, your marriage needs goals too.
The reality is, If you don’t make your relationship a priority, it’s easy to drift apart without even realizing it. Life’s demands—kids, work, church, responsibilities—can take up all your energy, leaving your marriage running on empty. Here's something you need to bear in mind: What got you here won’t get you there.
If you want your relationship to grow stronger, deeper, and more intimate this year, you have to do something different. A thriving marriage isn’t built on autopilot; it’s built on intention. This year you need to be intentional about your relationship.
What Does God Say About Growing Together?
The Bible gives us plenty of wisdom about pressing forward and growing together in unity. One powerful scripture is Philippians 3:13-14:
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
In your marriage, this means:
Letting go of past mistakes and unresolved conflicts.
Choosing to focus on the future and what you want to build together.
Committing to grow toward God’s vision for your relationship.
God’s best for your marriage is ahead of you—not behind you. Stop looking back at what was or could have been. You both have to press forward together, intentionally working toward the vision of a better relationship. How can I do that you might ask?
Here are 3 Steps to Help you Set Relationship Goals for 2025
They are simple but powerful steps that will help you set intentional relationship goals that will move your marriage forward in 2025.
1. Reflect on Last Year (Without Blame or Shame)
Take some time to sit down with your spouse and reflect on the past year. This is not the time to criticize or point fingers—it's about taking stock of where you’ve been and where you want to go.
Here are some questions to guide your conversation:
What went well in our relationship last year?
Where did we struggle?
What do we want to improve in 2025?
Tip: Write down your answers in a journal or notebook. Seeing your thoughts on paper will give you clarity and help you track your progress.
2. Create a Shared Vision for Your Marriage
Amos 3:3 asks, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
You and your spouse need a shared vision for your marriage. What do you both want your relationship to look like by the end of this year?
This vision could include:
More peace at home.
Better communication.
Deeper intimacy.
Stronger faith as a couple.
When you have a shared vision, you’re both working toward the same goal. You’re no longer pulling in different directions—you’re walking together.
Practical Tip: Create a "Marriage Vision Board" together. Write down your goals, dreams, and values as a couple, and put it somewhere you can see it regularly.
3. Set Small, Actionable Goals
It’s tempting to set big, vague goals like "communicate better" or "spend more time together." But these types of goals often fall flat because they aren’t specific or actionable.
Instead, focus on small, achievable goals that create lasting change over time.
Here are some examples:
Daily: Pray together for 5 minutes every morning.
Weekly: Have a "marriage check-in" every Sunday to talk about how you’re feeling and what you need from each other.
Monthly: Plan a date night—even if it’s at home.
Small steps create momentum. Over time, these little habits will strengthen your marriage in ways you never imagined.
Why Being Intentional About Your Marriage Matters:
When you take intentional steps to grow your relationship, you’re sending a powerful message to your spouse:
"I’m committed to us. You matter to me."
Being intentional also invites God into your marriage. Proverbs 16:3 reminds us:
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
When you commit your relationship goals to God, He will guide you, strengthen you, and help you achieve more than you ever thought possible.
This year can be a turning point for your marriage. Whether you’ve been coasting or struggling, now is the time to hit reset and grow intentionally together.
This year, I am committed to helping you tackle real questions couples have but often don’t know how to ask. Each week, I’ll give you practical, faith-based tools to help you strengthen your relationship.
Next up: "Why Is My Spouse So Difficult to Love Sometimes?"
Trust me—you won’t want to miss that one!
Your marriage doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to be intentional. Start with small steps, commit your goals to God, and watch how He works in your relationship.
Let’s build YOUR BEST US, one day at a time.
Remember: It’s the little things done consistently that make the biggest difference.
Are you curious about why your spouse seems difficult to love at times? Stay tuned for next week’s post, where we dive into emotional triggers, grace-filled responses, and practical ways to love your spouse better—even when it’s hard.
What’s one relationship goal you’ll set for this year? Drop a comment or send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!
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