Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. —PROVERBS 11:2
It has been said that marriage was made in heaven, but then so are thunder and lightning! For many couples, the clouds of marital discord soon gather on the horizon after they say “I do,” and the calm of the honeymoon quickly becomes more like a hurricane. This catches many off guard, and if we don’t know what to do about it, we can draw some illogical conclusions, like “I guess I married the wrong person.” No, it is not likely you married the wrong person. You just need to learn what to do when your honeymoon cruise goes through a hurricane and the inevitable disputes of life arise in your marriage. It doesn’t mean your marriage was a mistake or you made the wrong choice. It simply means you’re normal and human, and two becoming one is going to take some getting used to. That’s what this chapter is all about.
Many factors contribute to stress in the home. These stresses lead to communication problems that result in the forsaking of good manners. Remember what 1 Corinthians 15:33 says: “Evil communications corrupt good manners” (KJV). Financial stresses, work pressures, family issues, and even health challenges can all precipitate strain in a marriage. If we’re not careful, we can begin blaming and turning on each other at the time when we need each other the most.
This is one of the enemy’s most successful traps that snare many couples: allowing life’s pressures to become marital stresses. I want you to pay close attention to this chapter. If you’re one of those fortunate couples who always seem to see eye to eye—and to be honest, I have met only one among the hundreds of couples I have married or counseled—the principles shared in this chapter will equip you to help others who struggle in their marriages. If you’re married but struggling to live in peace and harmony, know that you can learn how to resolve your differences in an acceptable manner. If you’re single, the information presented will prepare you for healthy interaction with your future spouse as well as provide you with a way to evaluate the ability of someone you’re dating to deal with conflict in a satisfactory way. There’s truly something for everyone as we take a look at how to handle the disruptions that threaten the harmony in our homes.
Excerpt from “Happily… Even After” now available on Amazon.
