By Marlene Griffith, Contributing Writer

Often times we come into a marriage not knowing truly what God’s design is for marriage. We may have an idea, but we don’t truly understand until after we are married.

I love reading, and I love learning new things. As a wife, I am continually seeking out ways to grow in my role, to learn more from others, and to grow closer to God through this role he’s entrusted me with.

I have been encouraged by several resources, but today I’m going to share some of my favorite ones that have helped me in my role as a wife. All the books listed here are ones that I own in paperback. I love having books on my tablet, but some books are just so good, that I have to have them in hand too. I hope to pass these down to my daughters one day, as books like these are hard to come across today. We are flooded with a mass of resources for marriage and walking with Christ, yet few truly and honestly take you back to the Word. These resources are not just packed with the author words, and their experiences, but are also packed with scripture and they encourage you to turn to Him and the Word continually.

When Sinners Say I Do, by Dave Harvey

When Sinners Say I Do is book I recommend for every marriage. New, or seasoned. This is one that my husband and I have read together and separately, over and over again. I’m am continually encouraged by it and while this is a book geared towards husband and wife, the information in it is so incredibly valuable that you will be encouraged by it even if you don’t read it with your husband.

The Excellent Wife, by Martha Peace

This book challenges you in every way possible. The Excellent Wife challenges your heart, your motives, and encourages you to live the biblical role that the Lord has designed for you. The book is based on Proverbs 31:10 ~ “An excellent wife, who can find?” For her worth is far above jewels.”

A Woman After God’s Own Heart, by Elizabeth George

A Woman After God’s Own Heart is a book that encourages women to follow God and see Him and His heart in every area of her life (marriage, parenting, at home, your walk with the Lord, and in ministry). This is probably one of my most worn out books. I take something new from it every single time I read it.

I love what Elizabeth has to say about being a Woman After God’s Own Heart in this video ~  click HERE.

A Wife After God’s Own Heart, by Elizabeth George

A Wife After God’s Own Heart challenges you to learn how to lover your husband the way God designed. It reminds you to not focus on changing your husband, but instead to focus on your calling to be a wife…his wife. You can check out what Elizabeth has to say about A Wife After God’s Own Heart in this video ~ click HERE.

Loving God With All Your Mind, by Elizabeth George

Through Loving God With All Your Mind, Elizabeth encourages you to draw closer to God and to love Him with all that you are. She tackles this through six Bible truths, including God’s purpose for life, and learning what is true about God and our lives.

Her words in this video are so encouraging (click HERE).

Sermons

I have few sermons that I frequently listen to. Why would I listen to them over and over? Somehow, I always take something new away from it depending on the season of life that I’m in. Here are some of my favorite ones:

• God’s Pattern for Wives Part 1 (click HERE)
• God’s Pattern for Wives Part 2 (click HERE)
• The Willful Submission of a Christian wife. You can find this on the GTY website HERE, and you can also catch it on YouTube HERE .

Through those links, you can find both audio and text. You can also download the PDF of the text if you’d like.

What are some of your favorite resources that encourage a marriage based on Biblical principals?