It is certainly not an easy decision to choose a wife in marriage. Lots of people have made the mistake of choosing wrongly and that usually ends up costing a lot. Fortunately, it is most definitely possible to form a bond with the right woman that will last a lifetime. What’s important is understanding whether or not the woman you’re with has a long term vision that also aligns with your vision. Your wife doesn’t have to be perfect. No wife (or husband) is. But if she possesses these qualities, she’s a keeper for she puts God and her marriage first. If you want to recognize the marks of a godly wife, there are a couple of signs that you should especially pay close attention to. Most of the characteristics you may think are most important in a wife may not be ones that make for a good, lifelong relationship. If the woman you’re with possesses these characteristics, she’s definitely in it for the right reasons. Here are seven marks of a godly wife:

She Loves You Unconditionally

People tend to believe that glorious “true love” relationships are elusive, but we have the power to turn our own relationships into just that. A godly wife loves you unconditionally. She values you the way you are. Unconditional love in essence is true love so different from the kind of love most of have known all our lives that it deserves a definition of its own. Unconditional love is caring about the happiness of another person without any thought for what we might get for ourselves. She also reflects this love in her relationship with family.

She Shares Your Beliefs

Never overlook a woman who shares your beliefs, particularly on faith. A godly wife keeps Christ at the center of her marriage. You and your wife share many common interests. On top of being unbelievably similar, a good wife should share the same beliefs, values, hopes and dreams. You are inspired by each other when you share the same worldview, background and core beliefs, which will allow the two of you to build a strong, loving foundation based on mutual respect. You are attracted to each other physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. Too often, we end up in relationships with people who don’t share our beliefs and values and the relationship gets derailed before it even had a chance.

She Makes You a Better Man

Never overlook a woman who makes you a better man. Any man who has a great wife will tell you that she makes him a better man. She doesn’t have to say or do anything, it just is the way. Your wife should elevate you to your best self. You can get a good idea from your friends and family. Do they say or act differently in a bad way when you are around her? Not a good sign. A godly wife brings out the best in you.

She is Trustworthy

This is about more than fidelity in marriage. A godly wife wants her husband to know that he can trust her and depend on her just like she trusts and depends on him. She seems their marriage as a partnership. You guys are a team. God is the coach. Scripture tells us, “The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain” (Proverbs 31:11-12). A husband trusts her when she does him good and not evil. He will have confidence in her when he is encouraged. The trustworthy wife seeks to do her husband good all the days of her life.

She’s Selfless

Never overlook a woman who is selfless. You know you’ve found a godly wife when she really values others. A selfless woman always puts God first. She also puts other people’s wishes, interests or aspirations first because she values others. Look at the way she treats her family and friends. Giving to others comes naturally to her. She finds happiness in giving away her energy, time and hard earned money, even to those who need help but don’t ask for it, she’s the epitome of selfless. Some questions to ask yourself: Does she care about other causes? Does she go out and volunteer? Does she give change to the needy or buy them a meal? These are important characteristics to consider.

She Gets Along With Others

A godly woman genuinely cares about those. She sees everyone as a child of God. She gets along with your friends and family. A godly wife will make an effort to have close relationships with your circle of influence. She’ll help your parents out at Thanksgiving, try to understand your brother’s twisted sense of humor and want to get to know your friends. If she doesn’t even try to connect with your family and friends, let her go. She shouldn’t be critical of the people who you love and have been loyal to you throughout your life. She is a good fit with the people in your life.

She’s Compassionate

Compassion is one of the most important qualities in a marriage. The definition of compassion is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. A compassionate wife is able to recognize when her spouse is suffering in some way. She is loving and kind and can help them move through their process.

Does the woman you’re with possess these qualities? While not every woman displays these qualities, those who do are quite special and deserve to be acknowledged. The woman you are with should add to your life, not take away from it. A godly woman puts God first and values her marriage covenant. She will ultimately enhance your life and bring you closer to Christ.