Marriage is a huge milestone for any couple. Rarely do husband and wife plan to divorce, yet because of different circumstances, marriages sometimes reach an untimely end.

One study cites seven life events that can lead couples to divorce: illness, job changes, family planning decisions, long-distance relationships, trauma, becoming empty-nesters and infidelity.

The possible reasons these major life events can lead to divorce are added stress, needs not being met, lack of communication and emotional strain. How can we alleviate some of these problems from our marriage even when difficult life events do arise?

Communicate

Before and throughout your marriage, it is important to discuss decisions that should be made jointly. For instance, how many kids (if any) do you each want? When would you like to start a family? Talking about these kinds of things can help put both of you on the same path with the same goals. Since mind-reading is not an option, the only way you will each know what the other is thinking is to talk about things openly and honestly. Discuss matters with respect and an open mind to understand both sides and come to a mutual agreement.

Be emotionally supportive of one another

Being a kind, caring and compassionate partner can make a huge difference in a marriage. Listening to and observing the needs of your husband or wife, and responding with gentleness and love, will deepen your love for each other. Spouses need to be able to rely on each other during hard times. Sometimes one spouse may be in need of extra support, while other times a couple may need to mutually support each other in order to make it through difficult trials.

Continue the courtship

After a couple is married, they need to remember to keep getting to know each other and keep renewing their love for one another. Since none of us remain the same throughout our lives as we learn and grow as humans, if we are not constantly working on our relationship with our spouse, we may wake up one day and realize we are living with a stranger. Date nights are one way to keep the chemistry and familiarity in your marriage fresh. Relationships deepen as couples change and grow together.

Be fully committed to your spouse and your marriage

This means avoiding infidelity in any form. Don't put yourself in a position where it could even be a temptation. The one person whom you should connect to on emotional, physical and spiritual levels is your marriage partner. When problems arise in your marriage, don't be tempted to share it with a co-worker, friend or family member. Instead, resolve your problems together, or, when necessary, with a professional or qualified clergy member. Committment to each other includes working on problems together to resolve them.

When difficult life events or circumstances threaten to pull marriages apart, seeking to work together and rely on and support each other will not only help during trials, but will strengthen your relationship as you grow together. Strong marriages don't happen because life is easy; strong marriages happen when couples face hard times as a united force and overcome together.