Let's face it: marriage is no easy thing. Cultivating a loving, productive relationship with an indefinite time frame attached to it always comes with a few glitches, even when both partners share similar backgrounds and values. And when two people with different belief systems decide to share their lives, the struggle for a successful marriage gets even harder. But with a few compromises and a lot of hard work, these kinds of marriages can last. In fact, they can thrive.

Interfaith marriages are unions between two people of different religious backgrounds. At one time, these marriages were discouraged by many religious sects. Nowadays, they're relatively common, although some religious groups still see them as being less than favorable. Understandably, most interfaith couples face challenges that other married partners don't encounter, and these challenges can lead to marital problems if they're not defused. If you're in an interfaith relationship, follow the five strategies below to make sure your differences in faith don't lead to two different lives.

1.) Communicate!

Communication is important in any relationship, but it's especially crucial for interfaith partnerships. That's why this strategy precludes all others on this list. Talk to each other about religious issues before you get serious. Religion might not seem like a big deal in a relationship to you, but what does your partner think about it? If you're okay with getting together despite your differences, promise each other that you'll communicate whenever you feel uncomfortable in the future--it will happen.

2.) Set House Rules

Decide what is and isn't okay when it comes to religion. Which holidays will you celebrate? How involved do you expect your partner to be in your religious traditions? Can you joke about your differences or is religion out of bounds? Talk about your expectations and agree to be involved in one another's faiths, at least to some extent. Set boundaries too; tell one another what you aren't willing to compromise on. Create a list of religion house rules that you will try to follow. You can refer to these rules whenever you disagree down the road.

3.) Talk About Kids

You might not be thinking about children yet, but there's a good chance they'll come into the picture later on in your lives together. Decide NOW how you will approach the topic of religion with your kids. Some couples try to bring up their children within both religions, but this often makes both seem devalued. Most experts agree that kids should be raised as followers of only one religion to avoid confusion; that means you'll have to choose between your beliefs and your partner's.

4.) Consider Your Families

Your marriage is primarily about you and your partner. But it would be silly to think that your families--particularly your parents--won't play a role in your relationship too. How will your families feel about your marriage? More importantly, how will you feel about your families' reactions. In some extreme cases, parents disown their children for marrying outside of their religion. Would you be okay with your marriage if this were the consequence. Obviously, family considerations are things that should be discussed well before your wedding.

5.) Focus on the Positives

When you're in an interfaith relationship, you will face problems. You will argue about your differences in faith. You may feel like you have to choose between your spouse and your religion at times. But no matter how frustrated you get, always remember why you wanted to get married in the first place. Think about the love that you and your partner share despite your different backgrounds. This should make your problems seem much less important.