4 Things We Can Learn About Marriage From Chip And Joanna Gaines

Everyone's obsessed with the TV show Fixer Upper, and rightfully so. Who doesn't wish that Chip and Joanna would makeover our homes? But unless we all move to Texas, we'll have to settle for the guilty pleasure of planting ourselves in front of the TV for an hour to get our fix. Netflix categorizes the show as 'feel-good.' But what is it about this home improvement show that makes it so uplifting? Chip and Joanna Gaines marriage. credit: countryliving.com So what can we learn from Chip and Joanna Gaines marriage from watching the show, and how can we apply it to our own lives?   [rsnippet id="3" name="Article-Ad"]  

Laugh Together: Chip and Joanna Gaines Marriage Tip #1

These two are always cracking each other up. Joanna seems genuinely amused by Chip's antics. Instead of chastising him or nagging him to stay on task or stop horsing around, she provides a receptive audience for her husband, and often joins in.

Give compliments: Chip and Joanna Gaines Marriage Tip #2

I always cringe when I hear couples putting each other down. It's a very slippery slope to constantly berate your spouse. Even if he NEVER takes out the trash, complaining about it to all your girlfriends at the neighborhood BBQ isn't going to get that trash out of your kitchen. But over time, it could change how he feels about you. READ: Six Eye-Opening Healthy Marriage Tips Joanna, on the other hand, lifts Chip up and compliments him for all the things he does well. And Chip does the same in return, praising her design and decorating skills, her parenting prowess, as well as reminding her how beautiful he finds her . . . even when she's dressed like a giant marshmallow.

Say I Love You...A Lot: Chip & Joanna Gaines Marriage Tip #3

Sometimes we may think we don't need to tell our spouse, "I love you," because they already know how we feel. But hearing and saying those words often is very important. Christian Wife University's Misty Leask lists these 4 reasons why:

1. He needs to be reminded that he is loved.
2. We need to remember that we love our husbands.
3. He needs to know that we're actively choosing to love him.
4. We never know when it will be our last opportunity.

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 I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine… -Song of Solomon 6:3a 

Show Trust In Each Other: Chip And Joanna Marriage Tip #4

My favorite thing about the HGTV Fixer Upper couple is the level of trust they exhibit with one another. They may not always agree on how things should be done, but they respect boundaries and defer to each other's judgement. In one episode from season 2 for example, Chip questioned JoJo's decision to put a breakfast bar in front of a window. She heard him out, weighed her options, and very politely asked that they stick to her original design. "Trust me," she said. And he backed down, admitting that this was more of a design decision than a construction one. And this was just one small example of how they show respect, admiration for each other's strengths, and trust in the other's abilities and judgement! Watch as Chip and Joanna share their love story in their own words:

Hear how God spoke to Joanna in her incredible testimony!